
QUMAX was established as a collaboration between the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia as a two-year pilot program in 2008. In 2020 QUMAX is currently funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health under the Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement (7CPA).
The QUMAX Program aims to improve Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) and contribute to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, through the Seven Support Categories provided by participating Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) and community pharmacies in urban and regional Australia.
QUMAX funding is allocated among participating ACCHOs on an annual basis. Once funding is allocated, each ACCHO is required to develop a Work Plan to address local QUM needs and negotiate with preferred community pharmacies to provide these services.
QUMAX Seven Support Categories
The QUMAX Work Plan includes Seven Support Categories. ACCHOs can choose to allocate funds against one or all categories based on their needs.
- Dose Administration Aid (DAA) arrangements:Â aims to reduce the financial barriers to accessing comprehensive DAA services provided by community pharmacies to improve medication adherence and management for ACCHO clients.
- QUM Pharmacy Support:Â aims to provide additional capacity for community pharmacy involvement and support in areas including Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) planning, policy and protocol development and QUMAX Work Plan development.
- Home Medicine Review (HMR) Models of Support:Â aims to reduce the cultural and logistical barriers of access to HMR services by ACCHO clients.
- QUM Devices:Â aims to reduce the financial barriers to access to QUM devices to improve overall delivery of medicines and management of chronic disease by ACCHO clients.
- QUM Education:Â aims to reduce financial barriers associated with access to QUM educations and health promotion for ACCHO employees and their clients. This category may also help ACCHOs access current medicine resources, promoting suitable, safe and effective medication management for ACCHO clients.
- Cultural Awareness:Â aims to improve access and delivery of Cultural Awareness resources and training for Community Pharmacy to promote a culturally aware and safe pharmacy environment.
- Transport:Â aims to reduce barriers of access to medicines and community pharmacy services by providing transport support.
QUMAX Annual Cycle
QUMAX Support
NACCHO and Pharmacy Programs Administrator (PPA), AÂ division of Australian Healthcare Associates (AHA) are responsible for the overall support of the QUMAX Program.
NACCHO QUMAX Coordinator
Support ACCHOs in initial eligibility and registration; provide ongoing support and guidance in identifying medicines needs; assist in work plan development and reporting; provide support for all QUMAX program queries.
Pharmacy Programs Administrator Support Team
Liaise with the NACCHO QUMAX Coordinator to discuss current QUMAX cycle progress, provide day-to-day operational support to community pharmacies and ACCHOs participating in the QUMAX Program.
For more more information about the QUMAX Program please contact qumax@naccho.org.au