Health Minister announces greater flexibility for medication safety programs at PSA26

31 July 2026 

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today welcomed the announcement that will afford pharmacists greater flexibility in delivering Home Medicines Reviews (HMRs) and Residential Medication Management Reviews (RMMRs).

 

Addressing delegates during the Opening Plenary at PSA26: The Home of Pharmacists, the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon. Mark Butler MP, announced negotiations are progressing on the First Pharmacy Programs Agreement (1PPA), and that from 1 November, follow-up services for the HMR and RMMR programs will be able to be delivered via telehealth.

 

The Minister’s speech reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to working with the PSA to support Australia’s pharmacists to provide more services, to more Australians, for the benefit of the pharmacy profession, patients, and the Australian health system.

 

“Pharmacists are at the heart of communities across Australia,” Minister Butler said.

 

“For many Australians, pharmacists are the first call, the first conversation, and often the first point of care when they have concerns about their health. That trusted relationship is one of the profession’s greatest strengths and one that will only become more important as our health system continues to evolve.”

 

PSA National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS, welcomed the announcement, declaring it an important step in modernising pharmacist-delivered care and improving patient access to medication safety programs, particularly for those in rural and remote Australia who may have limited access to healthcare.

 

“The announcement is a key step in strengthening medication safety programs for Australian patients and communities,” Professor Naunton said. 

 

“We know medicines reviews are lifesaving services provided by pharmacists. They identify medicine-related problems, support the safer use of medicines, help patients optimise their medications, and provide a deeper relationship between patients and their healthcare professionals. 

 

“We thank Minister Butler for his ongoing commitment to strengthening the role of pharmacists across Australia’s healthcare system.”

 

Brooke Shelly FPS, PSA Strategic Agreements Lead, said the announcement was an important step forward for the profession, with the ability for pharmacists to now use telehealth for follow ups aligning medicines safety programs more closely with other sectors of the health system. 

 

“This reform reflects years of hard-fought advocacy from PSA and demonstrates what can be achieved when government and the profession work together with a shared focus on better patient outcomes,” Ms Shelly said.

 

“Medicines safety is fundamental to a stronger, safer health system. While we’re pleased to have greater flexibility in how these programs are delivered, there is still more to achieve, and today’s announcement provides a strong foundation for the work to come.

 

“We will continue to work constructively with the Department to build on this momentum and work towards progressing the 1PPA so that more Australians will benefit from high-quality pharmacist care, wherever they live and in the ways that best meet their needs.” 

 

The announcement reflects the success of sustained advocacy by PSA and its members, together with constructive engagement with the Australian Government. PSA remains committed to working collaboratively with Government to progress the 1PPA.

 

 

Media contact: Leah Jacobsen 

E: leah.jacobsen@psa.org.au or media@psa.org.au  

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is the only national peak body that represents all of Australia’s pharmacists across all practice settings. We want every Australian to have access to the best healthcare, and this must include optimising access to pharmacists’ knowledge and medicines expertise at the forefront of our healthcare system.