Page 4 - Federal Budget Submission 2016-17

Summary
“ “Pharmacists contribute hugely to patient care and support the medicines optimisation agenda...thus supporting adherence and improvement in health outcomes.”1
This submission aligns with the key elements of Australia’s well established policy on Quality use of medicines (QUM) and in particular focuses on the safe and effective use of medicines to achieve
the best possible results2 by: monitoring outcomes; minimising misuse, over-use and under-use; and improving people’s ability to solve problems related to medication, such as adverse effects or managing multiple medicines. PSA's submission also responds directly to consumer calls for increased investment in initiatives that improve coordination of care3, and for pharmacists to play an increased role in primary care.4
Pharmacists are highly qualified health professionals yet their skills, knowledge and expertise are often under-recognised and under-utilised. Australia now has a large and growing pharmacist workforce that is highly trained and with a much younger age-profile than most other health professions; as such there is great potential for the workforce
to contribute to emerging and innovative models of care.
Team-based models of primary health care have emerged in response to growing health system demands created by increasingly complex patient needs. Such models
are correlated with improvements in equity, access, and lower costs, as well as improvements in population health.5
This submission highlights key areas in which existing health resources can be better coordinated and targeted within a collaborative primary health care model to improve outcomes for Australians. Specifically, it identifies opportunities to better utilise the skills and expertise of pharmacists to address the Government’s policy objectives.
PSA recommends that Government makes the following investments:
4 Federal Budget Submission 2016-17 I ©Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd.
Improving health outcomes and cost- effectiveness of primary care
Supporting the integration of pharmacists in general practices to deliver medication management services within a collaborative framework.
Improving health outcomes for Indigenous Australians
Supporting Aboriginal Health Services to integrate pharmacists within their teams to deliver essential medication adherence and education services in a culturally appropriate environment.
Developing innovative practice models and a highly responsive workforce
Supporting the continued advancement of a highly responsive and flexible health workforce through investment in the development and implementation of innovative pharmacist practice models consistent with an evidence-based health reform agenda.
Effective implementation of eHealth initiatives
Supporting eHealth initiatives such as an effective real time monitoring system for drugs of dependence and equitable incentives to encourage all health professionals to engage with My Health Record.
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