Aged Care On-site Pharmacist (ACOP) Program
Community pharmacies and aged care providers can now employ credentialed pharmacists to work on-site in residential aged care homes, with support from the government to cover the employment costs.
These aged care pharmacists form an important part of the multidisciplinary team, providing expert support and advice about resident’s medications and the quality use of medicines in aged care homes.
Why has this initiative been established?
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety identified medication management and safety in residential aged care homes as an essential area for improvement. This measure responds to the final report recommendations, in particular recommendation 38.
A study by the University of Canberra found that more than 95% of residents living in aged care homes experience medication related problems and upwards of 50% of residents take a potentially inappropriate medication.
Why employ an ACOP?
Having an ACOP working on site alongside your clinical teams and consulting with residents and families assists with reducing any medication related issues and ensures better person centred care for residents. Having an ACOP also supports compliance with the Aged Care Quality Standards, specifically standard 3 regarding delivery of services and standard 5 which concerns clinical care.
How will the ACOP support care of residents?
As an integrated part of your team, an embedded pharmacist can
- Support informed medication related decision making
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary health care teams, both internally and externally
- Apply evidence-based practices to medication management to reduce medication related harm and optimise medicine use
- Assist with medication management and communication during transitions of care
- Undertake whole of facility quality use of medicines activities
- Contribute to clinical governance and encourage a culture of continuous quality improvement to ensure safe and quality care for residents.
The program provides for one full time Pharmacist per 250 beds, with funding prorated in 50 bed blocks. Pharmacists can be employed part time to be on site, 4 or 8 hours per day.
The following residential aged care home types are eligible:
- Homes receiving a residential care facility subsidy from the Australian Government
- Australian Government funded transition care facilities
- Multi-Purpose Services
- National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care facilities
More information on this program can be found here. Note that the requirement to adopt an electronic National Residential Medication Chart (eNRMC) to be eligible for ACOP funding has been removed.
Option A Residential aged care homes can approach a participating community pharmacy of their choice to engage an onsite pharmacist on their behalf or alternatively work with a business that employs on-site pharmacists.
Option B Residential Aged Care Homes may also engage an on-site pharmacist directly if they are unable to find a suitable community pharmacist to supply an ACOP.
Here’s what others say
Hear directly from GPs, pharmacists and aged care providers about the real-world impact of embedding an on-site pharmacist in residential aged care. This webinar covers everything you need to know about the ACOP programme and how to get started.
Our primary health network colleagues from Went West in Western Sydney have showcased the excellent work that ACOP Jasmine is doing as part of the clinical team at Uniting Mullauna. Blacktown.
“Having a pharmacist here on a regular basis allows us as a team to go into depth, and provide better safety for residents.”
Residents also appreciate the privilege of being able to talk to the on-site pharmacist and feel comfortable to ask questions about their medicines:
“You can speak better to a person that you know, as opposed to someone that you don't know, and she is a very nice young lady”
Owen Lednor, General Manager of The Shoreline at Coffs Harbour cannot speak more highly of their experience working with an ACOP.
“Having an on-site pharmacist has been a game-changer for both our clinical team and our residents. The ability to collaborate in real-time with a dedicated pharmacist has significantly enhanced medication safety, streamlined communication between clinical staff and GPs, and improved overall health outcomes. From a clinical perspective, the pharmacist’s presence means we can quickly clarify prescriptions, adjust dosages, and proactively manage polypharmacy risks. This has reduced delays and improved the confidence of our team when making decisions. For our residents, it’s reassuring to know that someone is always available to answer questions, review medications, and provide education - especially for those with complex needs. One of the most valuable aspects is the continuity of care. The pharmacist becomes a familiar and trusted figure in the home, which helps build rapport and encourages residents to engage more actively in their own health management.”
Colleen Banks is the Residential Services Manager at Emmaus Village. Her experience of working with their ACOPs has also been overwhelmingly positive, as she shares below.
"Sophie, Mel and their team have been a fantastic support, providing reliable medication management and ongoing reviews that help keep our residents safe and well. Their attention to detail and regular check-ins have made a real difference to residents’ overall health. The team has also been incredibly helpful with vaccinations, making sure residents are up to date and helping to create a safer environment for everyone in the home. Their support with antimicrobial stewardship has been just as valuable, ensuring antibiotics are used appropriately and effectively. This has played an important role in maintaining high standards of care across the home."
Healthy North Coast can assist with connecting homes and potential pharmacists as well as support orientation and integration into the role.
If you are a residential aged care home interested in participating in the program, or a credentialled pharmacist wanting to work as an aged care onsite pharmacist, we’re here to help. Contact our Healthy Living and Ageing team.
Resources to Support Residential Aged Care Homes and Aged Care On-site Pharmacists
- The following resources were developed by the University of Canberra, commissioned by the Capital Health Network (ACT PHN).
- Onsite Pharmacists toolkit – Integrating Onsite Pharmacists into Residential Aged Care Facilities
- Onsite Pharmacists Clinical Notes Templates
- Residential Aged Care Facilities Handbook – Integrating Onsite Pharmacists into Residential Aged Care
