The Morrison Government will improve medication management and safety for aged care residents by investing $345.7 million for on-site pharmacists and community pharmacy services in government-funded residential aged care facilities (RACFs).

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, announced the funding at the annual Australian Pharmacy Professional Conference, currently underway on the Gold Coast.

“Improving medication management for senior Australians living in aged care is part of the Government’s generational reform of the sector,” Minister Hunt said.

“Having a pharmacist and community pharmacy services on-site will give residents and their families confidence that medications are regularly reviewed, appropriate and needed.

“The pharmacist will also gain an in-depth understanding of medication issues across the facility and will be well-placed to improve medical management and safety.

“This is especially important when we consider the overuse of antipsychotics, known as chemical restraint, and we will continue to work closely with the aged care sector, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia in implementing these important reforms.”

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On-site pharmacists to improve medication management in RACFs