The Integrating Pharmacists within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services to Improve Chronic Disease Management (IPAC) study was a collaborative partnership between James Cook University, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and NACCHO. The IPAC project, which took place from August 2018 until October 2019, integrated 26 pharmacists into 18 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) across Queensland, Victoria, and the Northern Territory, with 1,733 consenting participants.

Australia’s principal medical advisory group, the Australian Government Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) has recommended the model for public funding. The independent expert advice recognises the significant impact pharmacists can have when integrated into comprehensive primary healthcare teams.

MSAC considered that the model was safe and effective compared to usual care. MSAC considered that the estimated costs for providing this integrated, collaborative, culturally appropriate patient-centred care to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples was good value for money.

Key findings from the project include:

• a significant improvement in self-reported adherence to medicines
• clinically significant improvements in the control of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes
• reduced risk of chronic disease patients developing CVD.

NACCHO is looking forward to working with government on rolling-out this important service nationally.

Chair of NACCHO Donnella Mills

“Having the support of MSAC confirms when pharmacists are present within our services, both patients and staff at the clinic are better supported to provide safe and effective use of medicine. Our member services have been calling for support and funding for non-dispensing pharmacists integrated into ACCHOs for years, this endorsement further validates their requests and demonstrates the impact of team-based community-controlled healthcare.”

For more information from MSAC click here.