“Implement them all”; PSA back every recommendation of the Pharmacy Programs Cost Effectiveness Review

22 December 2025

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has thrown its full support behind every recommendation of the Deloitte Pharmacy Programs Cost Effectiveness Review’s Final Report which was released by the Australian Government today.

 

The review, undertaken by Deloitte on behalf of the Australian Government makes eight recommendations for reform of pharmacist-led programs to improve cost effectiveness and sustainability.

 

In particular the review’s recommendations proposed the removal of caps to providers of Home Medicines Reviews (HMRs), introduction of increased program flexibility, alternate funding mechanisms to incentivise service provision in rural and remote communities and introduction of effective evaluation frameworks which include quality outcome indicators.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim hailed the report’s recommendations.

 

“The review and its recommendations are vindication for Australian pharmacists who have been calling out for reform to these programs for many years. It recognises measures such as HMR caps mean consultant pharmacists are unable to make a full-time living from this life-saving work,” she said.

 

“Every recommendation is important, and PSA encourages the government to implement them all.  This report provides a blueprint for programs reform,” A/Prof Sim concluded.

 

PSA’s pharmacy agreements lead negotiator Associate Professor Shane Jackson echoed this sentiment, emphasising the report provides a clear pathway to reform:

 

“The review’s recommendations reinforce PSA’s long-held position on pharmacist program reforms,” he said.

 

“We will be using the upcoming budget processes to progress reforms through the First Pharmacy Programs Agreement, which have now been backed by the government’s own review. These reforms need to happen, and they need to happen as soon as possible,” A/Prof Jackson concluded.

 

The report is available at Pharmacy Programs Cost Effectiveness Review – Final Report