The Community Pharmacy Agreement 7th (CPA7) is a crucial agreement that outlines the relationship between the Australian government and community pharmacies. The agreement helps to ensure that the community pharmacy sector is supported and able to provide essential healthcare services to the public.
CPA7 was implemented on July 1st, 2020, and will run until June 30th, 2025. The agreement provides a framework for the funding, services, and programs that are available to community pharmacies in Australia.
One of the key features of CPA7 is the continuation of the Community Service Obligation (CSO). The CSO is a funding mechanism that ensures all Australians have access to essential medicines, regardless of their location or financial situation. Under the CSO, community pharmacies are paid to ensure the supply of essential medicines to rural and remote areas and provide other essential services such as vaccinations and medication management.
Another important feature of CPA7 is the increased focus on patient care. The agreement includes funding for professional services that enable community pharmacies to provide a range of healthcare services such as medication reviews and chronic disease management. Patients are also able to access a range of resources such as health coaching and education to ensure they are provided with the best possible care.
CPA7 also includes a dedicated focus on quality use of medicines (QUM). This focuses on ensuring that the medicines prescribed to patients are appropriate, effective, and used correctly. The agreement includes funding for QUM programs and services that help pharmacists to work collaboratively with other healthcare providers and patients to achieve optimal health outcomes.
In conclusion, the Community Pharmacy Agreement 7th (CPA7) is a crucial agreement that provides a framework for the provision of essential healthcare services to the public. The agreement ensures that community pharmacies are adequately funded to provide a range of services, including the provision of essential medicines, patient care, and quality use of medicines. CPA7 is an important step towards achieving better health outcomes for all Australians.