Media release

The GP-Pharmacist Team - An opportunity to deliver even better outcomes for patients

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THE GP-PHARMACIST TEAM – AN OPPORTUNITY TO DELIVER EVEN BETTER OUTCOMES FOR PATIENTS

AMA FAMILY DOCTOR WEEK, 19-25 July 2015

You and Your Family Doctor: the best partnership in health

The AMA has renewed its call for the Federal Government to support the AMA proposal to enhance the care provided to patients by integrating non-dispensing pharmacists into GP-led primary health care teams.

As part of AMA Family Doctor Week 2015, the AMA has produced a video highlighting the many benefits to patients and the health system by broadening the GP-led primary health team to include non-dispensing pharmacists, who can provide expert advice on the best and most effective use of medicines.

AMA President, Professor Brian Owler, said today the Pharmacist in General Practice Incentive Program (PGPIP) would create greater efficiencies for practices, better care for patients, new career opportunities for pharmacists, and significant Budget savings across the whole health system.

“This is a great opportunity for the Federal Government to realise its quest for savings and value without harming the health sector or compromising patient care,” Professor Owler said.

“Under the AMA plan, pharmacists within general practice can assist with things such as medication management, providing patient education on their medications, and supporting GP prescribing with advice on medication interactions and newly available medications.”

The proposal is backed by an independent analysis from Deloitte Access Economics, which shows that the AMA proposal would deliver $1.56 in savings for every dollar invested in it.
 
The Deloitte Access Economics analysis shows that if 3100 general practices took up the PGPIP, substantial savings to the health system would include:

  • a saving of $1.266 billion due to fewer hospital admissions related to the use of medications;
  • PBS savings of $180.6 million because of better use of medications and improved compliance;
  • patient savings of $49.8 million from reduced co-payments for medical consultations and medicines; and
  • MBS savings of $18.1 million from fewer GP attendances due to adverse reactions to drugs.
The AMA has developed this model in consultation with the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, which has given it its full backing. Other key GP organisations have also given their support to the concept.

The AMA proposal for the Pharmacist in General Practice Incentive Program, including the Deloitte Access Economics analysis, can be viewed at https://ama.com.au/article/general-practice-pharmacists-improving-patient-care

As part of Family Doctor Week 2015, the AMA has produced a number of videos highlighting the important contribution family doctors make to the health of the nation, including:

  • General Practice: More a Passion than a Job
  • Prevention and Care throughout Life
  • Plan for Pharmacists in General Practice

All the videos can be downloaded from the AMA Family Doctor Week website at https://ama.com.au/family-doctor-week-2015

AMA Family Doctor Week is proudly sponsored by the Australian Government Department of Social Services, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Cutcher & Neale, and AMEX.

 


21 July 2015

CONTACT:        John Flannery                     02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761
                        Odette Visser                      02 6270 5412 / 0427 209 753

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