Wed 27 May 2026

Policy and Advocacy Summary May 2026

The 2026–27 Federal Budget, delivered on 12 May, continued the Government’s focus on improving affordability and access to healthcare, with significant investment in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), public hospitals and broader system reform.

AdPha’s media response welcomed this investment, including funding for new medicines, hospitals, digital health reform and aged care, while reinforcing that workforce sustainability, including support for pharmacist prescribing and multidisciplinary care, is critical to realising the full benefit of these reforms.

Another emphasis was the need to address medicines shortages and discontinuations, which continue to place pressure on patients and health services, calling for targeted investment in a National Medicines Shortages and Discontinuations Clinical Advice Service.

AdPha also monitored the Victorian and Tasmanian State Budgets, reinforcing the need for continued investment in hospital services, workforce capacity and medicines access.

Following the release of our position paper on pharmacist prescribing across team-based care settings, AdPha commenced targeted engagement to inform our response to the Pharmacy Board of Australia’s consultation on an Endorsement for scheduled medicines for pharmacists, including stakeholder discussions and member consultation to ensure pharmacists practising in team-based settings are well represented.

AdPha also provided input to the Inquiry into Epilepsy in Australia, highlighting the role of pharmacists in medicines management and specialised care. AdPha continued engagement with government and key stakeholders, with recent meetings in Canberra supporting ongoing advocacy on medicines policy, shortages and funding priorities.