14 March 2024
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia (Guild) has reached an historic Heads of Agreement with the Albanese Labor Government to secure Australia's 8th Community Pharmacy Agreement (8CPA).
News of the agreement was announced by Pharmacy Guild of Australia's National President Professor Trent Twomey at the 2024 Australian Pharmacy Professional Conference (APP2024) at the Gold Coast now underway.
Professor Twomey told the conference, "Your Guild has always been fully committed to signing a CPA that delivers more affordable medicines to patients, while ensuring a vibrant and growing community pharmacy industry."
This morning Professor Twomey announced:
- A Heads of Agreement for a new Community Pharmacy Agreement has been signed by the Commonwealth Government and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia;
- The Heads of Agreement reflects an intended Australian Government investment of up to an additional $3 billion in community pharmacy, and in cheaper medicines;
- The full details of the measures contained in the Heads of Agreement remain to be finalised by the parties as soon as practicable; and
- The parties will use their best endeavours to agree an 8CPA commencing from 1 July 2024.
Professor Twomey says the Guild will now negotiate the finer details of the agreement with the over the coming weeks. We thank the Government, in particular the Prime Minister and Health Minister and the Department for the months of effort and work to reach this point.
"Once the details are settled, the Guild will be travelling around the country via our State of the Industry Roadshows," he said.
"The Guild will explain to our members and the industry what is included in the agreement, the benefits for patients and the bright future ahead for community pharmacy."
Your Guild has always been fully committed to signing a CPA that delivers more affordable medicines to patients, while ensuring a vibrant and growing community pharmacy industry
Professor Trent Twomey - National President, Pharmacy Guild of Australia
