New diabetes deal

Simone Roberts

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia said implementation targets have been set for each state and territory with a national aim of 40 new sub-agents over the next 12 months.

Under the new arrangements negotiated with Diabetes Australia and the Federal Government, pharmacy sub-agents can now claim $2300 to assist with upfront costs associated with the scheme, the Guild advised.

Sub-agents can also claim $500 to cover the cost of the transition to the new NDSS online ordering system.

The new arrangements also mean that all pharmacies around Australia are now eligible to become sub-agents, subject to meeting criteria set by Diabetes Australia.

Guild president, Kos Sclavos, said historically there had been strained relations between Diabetes Australia and pharmacy but the new collaborative approach would deliver a better service to diabetics.

"Diabetics will no longer be disadvantaged because of difficulties accessing the scheme at a nearby pharmacy. We pride ourselves on having equity of access across the 5000 strong pharmacy network," he said.

Mr Sclavos said while in NSW two out of three pharmacies acted as sub-agents, in some states the figure was as low as one in 30, and some regions had none.

The new deal would present a lot of opportunities for pharmacy "given the predictions of a diabesity epidemic", Mr Sclavos added.

More than 800,000 people with diabetes were registered on the NDSS at the end of June 2007.