Implementation Review of the Pharmacy Trial Program

Implementation Review of the Pharmacy Trial Program, Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

Under the Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement (6CPA), $50 million was made available through the Pharmacy Trial Program (PTP) to trial new and expanded community pharmacy programs which sought to improve clinical outcomes for consumers and/or extend the role of pharmacists in the delivery of primary health care services. PTP grants were made available to seven successful applicants under three tranches.

The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care engaged HMA to review the implementation of the PTP. The objectives of the implementation review were to assess the appropriateness of the PTP, identify early insights into implementation, and provide recommendations and/or options on possible enhancements to the design and implementation of the PTP. The review was undertaken from February to November 2019.

At the conclusion of the review, HMA proposed three areas for consideration by the Department to strengthen the PTP going forward, including:

  • Broadening the PTP objectives, with consideration of a board definition to include quality use of medicines.
  • Greater consideration of consumer views to support development of priority areas for funding.
  • Changed program administrator arrangements, including establishment of a new Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Research Mission.

HMA presented a range of options (from minor changes to significant changes) for each area including the pros and cons of each. Subsequent to the review, the Government announced investment of $25 million into research to improve the safe use of medicines and medicines intervention by pharmacists through MRFF grants.

 

Download the report here.

Tags: Pharmacy, Implementation Review, Evaluation