The Rural Pharmacy Network Australia is calling on the National Rural Health Commissioner to recognise the pivotal role that community pharmacies play in rural communities In its response to the Discussion Paper for Consultation: Rural allied health quality, access and distribution: options for Commonwealth Government policy reform and investment , it also calls on the Commissioner to take steps to ensure that they are empowered to deliver the best possible pharmacy care to rural patients. RPNA says that the paper does not do justice to the complexity of rural pharmacy practice and its crucial underpinning role in rural health infrastructure. “While pharmacy must be included in rural primary healthcare planning, and faces similar workforce challenges to other medical professions, it is distinct from Allied Health and warrants separate treatment and consideration,” it says. “Community pharmacists are important investors in rural communities large and small across Australia and—sometimes—the only healthcare […]