History

Since 1990, the remuneration that pharmacists receive for dispensing Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines and the regulations regarding the location of pharmacies have been governed by a series of agreements between the Australian Government and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (the Guild). These agreements are known as the Community Pharmacy Agreements (CPA), and over time, have increased in scope to include professional pharmacy programs and services.

Further details on the current CPA can be found here.

The 8CPA

The Eighth Community Pharmacy Agreement (8CPA) between the Department of Health and Aged Care and the Guild provides approximately $26.5 billion to over 6,000 community pharmacies for dispensing PBS medicines and providing pharmacy programs.

Location Rules

To ensure that all Australians have access to PBS medicines, particularly in rural and remote areas, Pharmacy Location Rules (the Rules) have been a feature of all Community Pharmacy Agreements. The Rules are given their effect by a Ministerial Determination under section 99L of the National Health Act and administered by the Australian Community Pharmacy Authority (ACPA).