Page 5 - Federal Budget Submission 2016-17

About PSA
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is the peak national professional pharmacy organisation representing Australia’s 29,000 pharmacists6 working in all sectors and locations.
PSA’s core functions relevant to pharmacists include:
• providing high quality continuing professional development, education and practice support to pharmacists;
• developing and advocating standards and guidelines to inform and enhance pharmacists’ practice; and
• representing pharmacists’ role as frontline health professionals.
Background
“ We are committed to finding better ways to care for people with chronic and complex conditions and ensure they receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.7
The impact of one or more chronic diseases on an individual extends beyond their quality of life and can have social and economic effects. Chronic diseases are the leading cause of illness, disability and death in Australia8 and comorbidities are associated with poorer health outcomes, more frequent use of health services and higher healthcare costs.9
As part of its commitment to a sustainable health system, the Government has acknowledged that primary health care is best positioned to manage chronic disease and support preventive health, easing pressure on the hospital system.10 The Health Minister has expressed a desire to find solutions now for a sustainable health system into the future, and flagged the need for reform of the primary care sector as a critical element in addressing the increased burden of long term health conditions.11
Federal Budget Submission 2016-17 I ©Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd. 5
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