Health Minister Nicola Roxon has told pharmacists there would be opportunities for them to make a much greater contribution in a reformed health system.
Ms Roxon delivered the keynote address at this year's APP conference just over a week after the release of the Government's national health reform agenda.
Changes to the health system, including the Government's commitment to fund 60 per cent of hospital costs and assume full policy and funding responsibility for primary health services, was of key interest to pharmacy, she said.
"Pharmacy will have a major role to play in the primary care system of the future," she said.
"In this reformed system, there will be opportunities for pharmacists to make a much greater contribution. I hope that pharmacy will seize these opportunities in the future – enhancing their role and providing better services for patients."
Ms Roxon's speech came as the Guild and the Government put the final touches on the Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement.
The minister said the current economic climate meant tough decisions had to be made, including a $1 billion cut to forecast spending for community pharmacy.
She also said better information and accountability were areas where pharmacies could improve.
"Consumers have told us that they don't have enough information about their medicines and services available to them from community pharmacies," she said.
"They also want better delivery of services by the pharmacist and clearer accountability. I believe the fifth agreement will deliver the right balance on those needs and wants and will ultimately leave all sides satisfied."