The Albanese Government and the Pharmacy Guild will begin negotiations to secure an eighth Community Pharmacy Agreement with immediate effect. With the negotiations starting to take place, the Prime Minister and Health Minister have accepted the offer from the Pharmacy Guild to suspend its public information campaign. A commitment has been made by both parties to secure a new agreement that will commence on 01 Mar 2024. Trent Twomey (pictured), President of the Pharmacy Guild, emphasised the aim to provide “cheaper medicines in a way that does not adversely impact the viability of community pharmacies, or patients’ access to community pharmacy services”. He said, “pharmacists are ready, willing and able to step up and provide more care and services to patients, at a time when the health system is under significant strain, and we look forward to those opportunities within the 8th Community Pharmacy Agreement. “We must ensure the core clinical service of community pharmacies, the dispensing of prescription medicines, is remunerated appropriately to help ensure these opportunities for a greater role of community pharmacists in delivery of patient care are realised.” The start of discussions comes after Federal Health Minister Mark Butler made a surprise announcement in August (PD 08 Aug) that negotiations would be brought forward. Butler made the announcement at the same time as he heavily defended the implementation of 60-day dispensing, which begins today (see story left).