The Pharmacy Guild of Australia welcomes the Government's announcement of additional funding to maximise the effectiveness of Australia's health system in the face of the COVID-19 crisis.
The Government's $2.4 billion package includes facilities to ensure provision of medicines to patients by enabling them to have their PBS prescriptions filled online or remotely, and have the medicines delivered to their home.
Under the package, this service will be available for people in home isolation and for vulnerable patient groups.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that all pharmacies with e-prescribing will be eligible to participate in the home medicines services and patients will continue to choose their preferred community pharmacy.
National President of the Pharmacy Guild George Tambassis said the provision of medicines was vital to all patients, particularly those self-isolating.
"This package of $25 million for home medicine services is a measure which will greatly help those unable to access their medicines in the normal way," Mr Tambassis said.
"We look forward to seeing the detail of the package and working with the Government in the interests of patient safety and wellbeing."
Mr Tambassis also welcomed the announcement of $30 million for a communications campaign to provide people with practical advice on how they can help to contain the virus and stay healthy.
"This is important because at present misinformation is one of the major problems," he said.
"The campaign announced by Mr Morrison aims to help keep the health and aged care industry informed, including providing up-to-date clinical guidance, triaging and caring for patients, development of an app and advice to workers in looking after their own safety."
The information will be based on the latest medical advice and will be targeted at all Australians, including those in high-risk groups, and will be in up to 20 languages.
"A targeted and well-structured communications campaign needs also to impress on all Australians that there is no need to panic and that everything possible is being done to contain COVID-19."
