Forrester, S., Emerson, L., Mr Ken McCarthy
This presentation will focus on a new scheme developed by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia that allows remote community pharmacists to visit remote Aboriginal Health Services (AHSs) to assist them in implementing 'section 100' and medication management in general. 'Section 100' is a scheme developed by the Guild and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation focussed on improving the medication supply mechanism to Aboriginal people in remote areas, via a more streamlined medication supply system through community pharmacists to Aboriginal Health Services. 'Section 100' has been developed in light of the fact that Australian Aboriginal peoples access to prescribed medicines is very low, and that in remote areas, access to medications through community pharmacies is exacerbated due to geographic, financial and cultural barriers. To assist in the implementation of 'Section 100', a new 'AHS Support Service' has been implemented aimed at assisting the AHS in improving the management of medication within the AHSs, through providing a range of services such as assisting the AHS staff with stock control and medication management procedures; providing continuing education to AHS staff in aspects of medication management or stock control; assisting clinical staff in the AHS with any clinical inquiries; providing assistance to the AHS in developing an implementation plan for 'Section 100' arrangements; and developing a range of other appropriate measures to enhance the quality use of medicines. This presentation will focus on the experience of a remote community pharmacist in the collaborative implementation of the scheme.