AJP Podcast presenter Carlene McMaugh talks with pharmacist and Capital Chemist CEO Andrew Topp about how he – and the pharmacists working and owning across the Capital group – feel about the Eighth Community Pharmacy Agreement and more.

As Topp mentions, the 8CPA encompasses only a third of the certainty the wider profession needs.

“There’s still a little bit to do with the PSA’s component that we’re yet to see, and the wholesalers’ component,” he says. “We’re still learning.”

“By and large I’m positive,” Topp tells McMaugh, saying the 8CPA “acknowledges that there was wrong done to pharmacies – that it was going to pull money out of dispensing” and notes the series of offsets and/or replacements in the income formula.

Topp looks at 8CPA potential winners and losers, what he guessed correctly about it – and his  predictions for monies not yet allocated and the CSO agreement.

“My crystal ball’s been quite defunct over the last couple of years!” Topp admits.

The pair also discuss why pharmacy isn’t we out of the woods yet when it comes to recovery from 60-day dispensing – as well as how scope of practice will change how pharmacists work, and how owners manage resources.

Highlights:

0.44 – What are your views on 8CPA and how it looks?

2.20 – Winners and losers under the 8CPA

3.59 – Did the 8CPA meet industry expectations?

6.27 – Thoughts on the new Strategic Agreement with the PSA

7.44 – Feedback from other pharmacists about the Agreements

10.30 – Moving towards a more ideal pharmacy world

12.34 – Investing in resources to provide scope of practice

13.50 – Are the Agreements and Budget aligned?

15.25 – Are adjustments for 60-day dispensing made by pharmacies likely to stay?

17.02 – Thoughts on the CSO Agreement

18.54 – Did the shortages predicted with 60-day dispensing eventuate?

20.32 – The remote pharmacy maintenance and transition allowances

22.35 – Changes to opioid replacement therapy funding and NIPVIP

Go here for the full list of active AJP podcasts. These can also be accessed via Apple Podcasts and Spotify