Register for MySay
View All Projects Back

Strengthening Medication Safety in Aged Care

Background

online community engagement

Capital Health Network (CHN), the ACT’s Primary Health Network, is here to help aged care homes bring on‑site Pharmacists into their care teams. Whether a Residential Aged Care Home (RACH) hires its own Pharmacist or works with a local community pharmacy, CHN provides practical, hands‑on support.

CHN can help by:

  • Connecting you with qualified Pharmacists or community pharmacies
  • Supporting recruitment and helping set up the program
  • Sharing useful resources and best‑practice tools

Our goal is to make sure RACHs feel confident, prepared and supported throughout the whole process.

You can learn more about the Aged Care On‑Site Pharmacist (ACOP) Program, share your feedback, and contact our team for further information.

Aged Care On‑site Pharmacists (ACOP) Program

As a first in Australia, CHN, as ACT's PHN, commissioned the University of Canberra to trial embedding Pharmacists in residential aged care homes (RACH) to improve medication management, reduce harm and optimise medicine use. CHN’s Pharmacists in Residential Aged Care Facilities trial involved on-site Pharmacists working collaboratively with care teams to improve medication safety and quality of care.  

Following the success of the trial, the Australian Government provided funding from July 2024 for community pharmacies and aged care providers to employ on-site Pharmacists in RACH to achieve similar outcomes, through the Aged Care On-site Pharmacist (ACOP) measure. 

ACOP was created in response to the Royal Commission’s call for safer, higher‑quality aged care. The program aims to:

  • Improve how medicines are used and monitored

  • Strengthen clinical oversight

  • Support a more collaborative, team‑based approach for residents, families and staff

 
Find out more

An on-site Pharmacist becomes a familiar face - a specialist who works alongside residents, families, GPs and care staff. Their work helps transform the everyday environment by:

  • Reviewing and optimising medications in partnership with the care team

  • Identifying and resolving medication related problems

  • Providing personalised medication reviews

  • Supporting accreditation, Quality Use of Medicine (QUM) activities and quality indicators

  • Leading or participating in Medication Advisory Committee (MAC) meetings

  • Assisting with safe medication storage and handling

  • Supporting safe transitions of care.

 

References

Department of Health and Aged Care. (n.d.). Aged Care On‑site Pharmacist. https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/aged-care-on-site-pharmacist

Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. (n.d.). Aged care. https://www.royalcommission.gov.au/aged-care

Capital Health Network. (n.d.). Aged care. https://www.chnact.org.au/for-health-professionals/aged-care/

Department of Health and Aged Care. (2025, July). Aged Care On‑site Pharmacist Measure: Pharmacist and residential aged care home guide [PDF]. https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-07/aged-care-on-site-pharmacist-measure-pharmacist-and-residential-aged-care-home-guide.pdf

Department of Health and Aged Care. (2025, September). Aged Care On‑site Pharmacist Measure: Reflecting on year 1 [PDF]. https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-09/aged-care-on-site-pharmacist-measure-reflecting-on-year-1.pdf

The survey is now closed. Thanks for participating.

Facts

In its first year, the initiative has enabled over 12% of eligible residential aged care homes across Australia to employ on-site Pharmacists.

best

The ACT leads participation with over 35% RACHs participating, while other states are averaging around 15%.

Most Aged Care On-site Pharmacists have come from community pharmacies.

FAQ

If you're a Pharmacist interested in aged care, or a RACH looking to explore the ACOP model, email our Older Persons Health Team at oph@chnact.org.au to learn more or express your interest. 

View all

Testimonial

“I believe it’s important to have an on-site Pharmacist in aged care as problems can be addressed timely and on an individual basis. I get to know both the residents and their families and have continuous conversations with the aged care staff,” - Pharmacist Andrew Kelly

Read full article
Capital Health Network acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the country on which we work and live, and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders past and present.