The cover note is:

The Pharmacy Agreement 2011 consultation process has concluded. Seven consultation meetings were held with pharmacy agents: 4, 10, 24 May; 1, 13, 27 June; 12 July 2011. The minutes of those meetings are available below.

The 20 DHBs have considered all the feedback received during the Pharmacy Agreement consultation process and have compiled a Variation offer that will be discussed and negotiated locally. The Agreement and the Cover Letter are with Sector Services for processing. It is anticipated they will be sent to Pharmacists in the first week of August. They will be discussed at local DHB-Pharmacy meetings over the coming weeks along with any local DHB provisions that they may wish to negotiate with you. They have been sent to Pharmacy sector agents [Pharmacy Guild, Pharmacy Partners, Radius, CCPG]. They are also available below for your review:

Draft Variation Offer to Pharmacies

Letter to Pharmacies

Pharmacy Agreement Issues Register Final Decisions

The Variation offer contains amendments to the Agreement from the Issues Register items consulted on during the seven consultation meetings, as well as some amendments related to new documents such as the Code of Ethics 2011, Pharmacy Standard, MOH Medicines Care Guides 2011. Clarifications to the service specifications are included.

DHBs are keen to continue with the work on the service to People with Long Term Conditions who require additional support to manage their medicines. Two meetings, 2 and 18 August, are scheduled to make further progress.

Thank you for your participation in the consultation process. It has been both stimulating and challenging as we seek ways to better recognise and reward the important clinical contribution community pharmacy makes to patients’ health outcomes in a sustainable way.

Regards

Sharon Kletchko and Kim Tito, 20 DHB Lead GMs P&F, Pharmacy

Please contact your pharmacy agent or Matthew Wood (03) 378 6640; 0276872305 if you have any queries.