Negotiations on pharmacy programs agreement underway
1 August 2025
Addressing PSA25 delegates today, Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing Mark Butler MP has announced that negotiations have begun for the first Pharmacy Programs Agreement with the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).
PSA will lead negotiations on behalf of the profession and be signatory to the agreement.
Announced in January 2025, the Pharmacy Programs Agreement will see PSA and the Commonwealth work together to strengthen programs delivered by pharmacists across the health system.
The Agreement is set to cover a range of pharmacy programs that no longer sit within the 8th Community Pharmacy Agreement, including but not limited to medication management programs (including Home Medicines Reviews and Residential Medication Management Reviews), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific programs, and rural support programs that encompass pharmacists in a range of practice areas.
The commencement of formal negotiations follows PSA’s open consultation with pharmacists and key stakeholders, and sector-wide roundtable in April.
Welcoming the commencement of negotiations, PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS thanked Minister Butler for his leadership and willingness to work alongside the pharmacy profession.
“With negotiations now underway, we’re a step closer to realising the reform we’ve long known needed to happen to allow pharmacists to best serve our patients.
“We know these programs work, but for too long pharmacy programs have been scattered across a range of mechanisms without comprehensive evaluation of their impact. That’s part of what this agreement will do.
“Throughout negotiations, PSA remains committed to genuine collaboration with stakeholders to ensure programs are fit-for-purpose, evidence-based and sustainable into the future.
“On behalf of PSA and the pharmacy profession, I thank Minister Butler for his genuine commitment to working alongside the profession to achieve better outcomes for patients. We look forward to continuing our work alongside government to strengthen pharmacy programs and build a stronger profession now and into the future,” Associate Professor Sim concluded.
Media contact: Georgia Clarke M: 0480 099 798 E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au
