In this special episode of the AJP podcast, Dr Fei Sim, national president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) speaks to Carlene McMaugh about a radical change for pharmacy – the first strategic agreement between the federal government and PSA to oversee pharmacy professional practice programs and structures.

Signed concurrently to, and in association with, the Eighth Community Pharmacy Agreement (8CPA), this new strategic agreement will see PSA oversee the operation of programs such as Home Medicine Reviews (HMR), Residential Medication Management Reviews (RMMR), Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) and workforce programs that were covered by previous CPA iterations.

PSA will also assume a role in other non-CPA programs such as the National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) and the pending Aged Care On-site Pharmacist (ACOP) program.

Among the topics covered are:

(2 mins 45): The reassurance offered by the new 8CPA, what this includes, and what it means for community pharmacy

(8:40): The new PSA/government strategic agreement – what this means for pharmacy professional practice   

(12:20): The components of the strategic agreement and how it will underpin professional standards and guidelines

(17:00): 7CPA programs and other programs to be included under the strategic agreement framework

(19:40): Providing reassurance to credentialied pharmacists

(24:30): The chance for professional equity, reducing intra-profession competition and securing additional funding for expanded practice

(26:40): Looking at the next steps, working through the plan. Also an upcoming PSA member exclusive webinar  

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Carlene McMaugh