Mon 25 May 2026
Wins for Tasmanian pharmacy in 2026 Budget
Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) warmly welcomes investment in Tasmania’s pharmacy workforce, with the 2026–27 Tasmanian Budget featuring funding for community pharmacist scholarships to support expanded scope of practice and initiatives to strengthen access to community pharmacy services, including extended evening and weekend care.
The investment builds on recent workforce gains, including the extension of the $10,000 market allowance for all existing and new pharmacists in Tasmania’s public hospitals for a further three years - a measure strongly advocated for by AdPha.
AdPha CEO Kristin Michaels says the market allowance is a key tool in the effort to ensure optimal pharmacist-to-patient ratios in public hospitals.
‘Our advocacy for this allowance is directly informed by the reality on the ground. Tasmania is a wonderful place to live, but our workforce pipeline remains challenging.
‘We are very pleased to see it extended for three years which will help our hospitals attract and retain pharmacists and ensure sustainable resourcing levels, which directly translates into better and safer patient care.’
Ms Michaels says the budget’s investment in community pharmacy is also welcome, realising benefits that can stem from future funding for hospital pharmacy.
‘Expanded community pharmacy services increase access to timely care for common conditions while reducing pressure on GPs and emergency departments.
‘We look forward to continuing our advocacy for hospital-based initiatives – such as pharmacist-led outreach and in-reach programs, pharmacist-led opioid stewardship programs and collaborative prescribing models – that are proven success stories, improving health system efficiency and reducing preventable medication errors.
‘This is the advanced pharmacy dividend, utilising specialty clinical expertise to support more people to spend less time in hospital.
‘This budget is a starting step in the right direction.’