Pharmacy
Pharmacy and Government Arrangements - Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement
This site provides an overview about the Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement
The five year Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement (Fifth Agreement) between the Australian Government and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (the Guild) commenced on 1 July 2010. It recognises the key role played by community pharmacy in primary health care through the delivery of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines and related services.
The Fifth Agreement provides $15.4 billion over the life of the Agreement for around 5000 community pharmacies for dispensing PBS medicines, providing pharmacy programs and services, and for the Community Services Obligation arrangements with pharmaceutical wholesalers. A commitment to maintaining location rules for approved pharmacies is also provided. The Fifth Agreement will result in a gross saving of $1 billion over five years against Commonwealth forward estimates.
The Fifth Agreement provides funding to retain services that enhance patient medication management including a focus on improving quality use of medicines by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The commitment to supporting rural pharmacies and the rural pharmacy workforce is maintained, and research will be commissioned on evidence-based best practice in quality pharmacy services. New programs will be introduced as part of a quality framework, with incentives available to accredited pharmacies under the new Pharmacy Practice Incentive and Accreditation Program based on the delivery of high quality patient services.
Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement (PDF 305 KB)
A broad range of organisations were consulted in implementing the Fifth Agreement. A summary of consultation activity is available through the following link:
PDF printable version to 5CPA Consultation Summary (PDF 563 KB)
Microsoft Word printable version to 5CPA Consultation Summary (Word 341 KB)
A description of the major elements of the Fifth Agreement is provided in the Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement Fact Sheet, which can be reached by clicking on the link below.
Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement Fact Sheet (PDF 51 KB)
Further information on various elements of the Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement can be accessed through the following links:
Microsoft Word printable version to the Use of Unapproved Pharmacies and Switching between PBS and non-PBS Prescriptions Fact Sheet. (Word 317 KB)
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