AMA objects to funding for pharmacy medscheck

The Chronic Pain MedsCheck trial was funded under the 6th Community Pharmacy Agreement. The study saw pharmacists opportunistically discussing stepping down pain medication use with customers at the pharmacy. The three-month trial had two arms that were not evaluated against existing services, used a tool that was not validated, and did not follow up with participants on their engagement with GPs or other health services. The evaluation report concluded that more time would be required to determine efficacy.  

The AMA however welcomes the MSAC assessment for the Chronic Pain MedsCheck trial, so the program’s effectiveness and cost-effectiveness is determined by the same process that assesses all other health services. 

Chronic pain is a major health issue for Australians. Overreliance on pain medicines, including opioids, as a treatment for chronic pain is a major issue requiring funding and planning to address. Unfortunately, we have seen a plan submitted that would undermine and fragment existing care while diverting funding away from programs that could actually help people seeking to reduce reliance on pain medicines. 

The AMA’s concern is that this application is part of a trend of the Pharmacy Guild seeking public funding for services which at best provide no value for consumers, but get them through the door to spend more on unnecessary items of no or low therapeutic value. 

The AMA has been clear that we support closer collaboration with pharmacists across a range of issues. We would welcome funding for more patient-centred pain management programs that utilise doctor led team based care including nurses, allied health professionals and pharmacists.  

This model promotes the opposite of this, funding a pharmacist with very little training providing a service with little to no evidence in isolation of other health care providers. 

You can read AMA's submission to the Medical Services Advisory Committee here.