Message from the Ministry of Health – Pharmacy Incentive Scheme changes

Pharmacists claiming payments under the NSW Pharmacy Incentive Scheme no longer need to submit a monthly form to the Ministry of Health’s Pharmaceutical Regulatory Unit.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia (NSW Branch) has developed a new claim form to simplify the process of claiming for the associated incentive payments. The new claim form will need to be completed by pharmacists twice a year in May and November.

Pharmacists in NSW who provide methadone and buprenorphine under the NSW Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) are eligible to participate in the Pharmacy Incentive Scheme, which is fully funded by the NSW Ministry of Health and is administered by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (NSW Branch).

Under the Scheme, pharmacists are eligible for a one-off payment of $1,000 when first becoming approved to provide treatment, as well as an incentive payment of $110 for each patient dosed continuously for a period of at least 2 months, during each of the six-month periods 1 November to 30 April and 1 May to 31 October, for up to 20 patients.

More information about applying to provide OTP can be found on the NSW Health webpage.

To register for Pharmacy Incentive Scheme payments visit the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (NSW Branch) website or contact the Pharmacy Guild on 9467 7100.