Palliative care access to core medicines (extended program)

The Palliative Care Access to Core Medicines (PCAM) project supports palliative care in the community by increasing access to essential medicines for people who wish to die at home or in an aged care setting.

The project recruits community pharmacies, which agree to stock the medications most commonly prescribed to control symptoms experienced by people in the final period of their lives. Doing so eases access to these vital medicines, making the process of acquiring them simpler for the families and carers of the dying, as well as reducing discomfort and suffering.

The medications stocked comprise the Core Medicines List, which was drawn up after consultation with palliative care experts. Participating pharmacies are displayed on a PCAM-specific map, allowing prescribers, patients and carers to quickly locate the most convenient supplier.

PCAM began in 2021, with North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) operating in concert with the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

It was extended in 2023, with Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN) and South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN) joining. At the same time, given that the project had reached a level of maturity, PSA ceased active involvement.

By mid-2024 more than 300 pharmacies across the metropolitan area had signed up to PCAM, including 111 in the NWMPHN catchment. Recruitment continues. You can apply here.

The project:

• Increases awareness and usage of the CML and pharmacy locator map.
• Preserves the number of community pharmacies stocking all medicines on the CML.
• Ensures all information on the CML is up to date.
• Facilitates data-sharing to sustain the pharmacy locator map.