Angus Thompson looks into the evolution of the Home Medicine Review program and the debate over its funding in the 8CPA

In this edition of the AJP podcast, our host, Carlene McMaugh, speaks to Angus Thompson, a Tasmanian accredited pharmacist and academic.

Key topics are the debate over the funding of Home Medicine Reviews (HMRs) and how this will fit into the Eighth Community Pharmacy Agreement.

Topics covered include:

GPs preference to refer to individual accredited pharmacists rather than via a pharmacy
Why the initial cap of 20 reviews per accredited pharmacist per month was bad for patients
The importance of the two paid follow-up reviews per patients, and how to approach these (05:00 minutes)
The impact of the introduction, and cessation, of telehealth HMRs (8:45)
What is the best possible outcome from an accredited pharmacy point of view from the 8CPA? Is there a lack of a dedicated voice representing this area at the negotiations? (10:50)
Why providing in-home clinical medication reviews is the ultimate definition of pharmacists practising to full scope (13:20)
The barrier of travel costs, and the need for ensured viability (14:00)
The petition for continued HMR funding (16:20)
Why are there caps on HMRs, and why this needs to be challenged (21:00)
Why do consultant pharmacists always have to prove they offer ‘value for money’ when no other speciality does? (24:00)
Views on accredited pharmacists in other settings (aged care, GP practice etc) (27:45)

Angus Thompson is a consulting clinical pharmacist, a lecturer in Therapeutics and Pharmacy Practice at the University of Tasmania and a pharmacist clinical editor for Primary Health Tasmania

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