The Abbott Government is continuing to work closely with the entire pharmaceutical supply chain, including consumers, to deliver an overarching reform package that ensures Australians continue to get access to affordable medicines when and where they need them now and into the future.

Part of this includes negotiating a Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement.

I can confirm the Government has reached in-principle agreement with pharmacists for a new agreement valued at $18.9 billion over the next five years.

As promised, the Abbott Government has worked closely with pharmacists, consumers and other stakeholders over the past few months to secure an agreement that is patient-orientated at its core. Today’s announcement marks another important step towards delivering this.

A key component of the agreement will include a doubling of investment in new and existing support programmes for patients to $1.2 billion over the next five years, including a greater focus on regional and rural services.

This is recognition of the increasingly important role pharmacists play in a patient’s ‘medical team’ of health professionals and further demonstrates the Abbott Government’s commitment to delivering greater integration between health services in Australia’s primary care system.

However, for the first time, all pharmacy programmes - new and existing – will be scrutinised and approved by the Government’s independent Medical Services Advisory Committee. This is part of the Abbott Government’s increased focus on evidence-based medicine and transparency, as well as recognition of the important role pharmacy plays in the primary care sector.

For more details, go to: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/health-mediarel-yr2015-ley053.htm