Pharmacy In Remote Aboriginal Health Clinics

Community pharmacies across Australia had the opportunity to become involved in remote Aboriginal health in 1998 when a Commonwealth Government commissioned survey showed that access to a pharmacy was a barrier for ATSI people utilizing the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. The report by Keys Young Market Research was handed to the Australian Pharmaceutical Advisory Council for action from where it was referred to the two peak organizations for pharmacy and Aboriginal health in Australia - NACCHO and the Pharmacy Guild.

A recommendation was accepted by the Minister for Health that the provisions of Section 100 of the National Health Act should be used to allow remote clinics to order from a community pharmacy in bulk PBS items and obtain supplies with the cost being claimed back by the supplying pharmacy through the Health Insurance Commission. The arrangement was introduced to the 56 Commonwealth funded clinics in Australia in February 1999 and these were followed by the Northern Territory with 76 clinics entering the scheme in May 2000.

The Tiwi Health Board is the first community controlled health organisation to own and operate its own pharmacy approval number and is now extending its scope to other clinics through Mirrijini Pty Limited.