Grattan Institute Pushes for Major Pharmacy Reforms Across Australia
13 Jul 2026
The Grattan Institute says pharmacy policy should be more transparent and based on public evidence rather than being heavily influenced by a single industry group. The report argues that important healthcare decisions should involve a wider range of voices, including patients and pharmacists.
Among its recommendations is ending the current Community Pharmacy Agreement process, or changing it so pharmacists and patients are included in future negotiations. The report also calls for greater transparency around pharmacy funding and dispensing fees, removing limits on MedsCheck services, and allowing pharmacies to offer medication discounts.
The report recommends removing pharmacy ownership and location restrictions, including allowing pharmacies to operate in supermarkets. It also proposes investing $80 million to place non-dispensing pharmacists in general practices and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services to improve medication management and team-based care.
While the report supports pharmacist prescribing for uncomplicated urinary tract infections, it recommends national clinical trials before expanding prescribing for other conditions such as minor illnesses, smoking cessation, and chronic disease management.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright welcomed the report, saying healthcare reforms should focus on safe, evidence-based, and connected care rather than being driven by lobbying. He also supported embedding pharmacists within general practice, saying it improves communication, medication safety, and coordinated patient care.
The report follows recent research from the Sax Institute, commissioned by the RACGP, which also raised concerns about the evidence supporting broader pharmacist prescribing programs.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia disagreed with several recommendations, saying community pharmacies already provide valuable healthcare services and should continue to operate as healthcare providers rather than retail businesses. The Guild also said it has supported measures to reduce medicine costs, including the lower Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme co-payment introduced earlier this year.
Dr Wright said patient safety should remain the highest priority when considering any future pharmacy reforms, with policy decisions guided by strong evidence and clear benefits for patients
Grattan Institute Pushes for Major Pharmacy Reforms Across Australia
Source: newsGP