Aged Care On-site Pharmacist (ACOP) Program
The Aged Care On-Site Pharmacist (ACOP) program supports residential aged care homes (RACHs) to embed a pharmacist within their clinical care team.
On this page:
The program provides ongoing funding for aged care homes to either
- engage a pharmacist through a local community pharmacy (Tier 1 – Community Pharmacy claims and receives payments | Pharmacy Programs Administrator)
- directly employ a pharmacist (Tier 2 – RACH claims and receives payments | Pharmacy Programs Administrator).
The ACOP program is part of national aged care reforms following recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Its purpose is to strengthen medication safety, improve clinical governance, and support coordinated, team-based care for residents.
What is the ACOP Program?
An on-site pharmacist works alongside aged care staff, GPs, and other clinicians to support safe and effective use of medicines and improve medication-related outcomes for residents.
The funded pharmacist time is based on resident numbers:
| Resident Numbers | On-Site Pharmacist Time |
|---|---|
| 1-50 residents | 1 day/week (approx. 7.6 hours) |
| 51–100 residents | 2 days/week (approx. 15.2 hours) |
| 101–150 residents | 3 days/week (approx. 22.6 hours) |
| 151-200 residents | 4 days/week (approx. 30.4) |
| 201-250 residents | 5 days/week (38 hours) |
What does an On-site Pharmacist do?
An on-site pharmacist is part of the aged care team and supports medication safety and quality improvement by:
- Working with residents, families, GPs and staff to optimise medicines
- Identifying and resolving medication-related risks
- Supporting Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) activities and continuous improvement
- Contributing to Medication Advisory Committee (MAC) meetings
- Assisting with medication governance, storage and handling
- Supporting safe transitions of care, including after hospital discharge
ACOP Program or RMMR/QUM Services?
The Aged Care On-Site Pharmacist program and the Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR) / Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) program are two distinct models.
Aged care homes may participate in either ACOP or RMMR/QUM services — but not both.
- RMMR/QUM services involve visiting pharmacists completing medication reviews at set intervals or when clinically indicated.
- ACOP pharmacists are embedded within the aged care home and provide continuous, team-based support.
| Feature | On-Site Pharmacist | RMMR/QUM Pharmacist |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated member of the RACH care team | ✅ | ◐ (varies by arrangement) |
| Follows up with residents between formal reviews | ✅ (no limit) | ◐ (limited to claiming rules and visit frequency) |
| Leads or participates in Medication Advisory Committee (MAC) meetings | ✅ | ◐ (varies by arrangement) |
| Supports medication transitions (e.g., post-hospital discharge) | ✅ | ◐ (often limited to review cycle) |
| Leads/supports Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) and quality indicator improvement | ✅ | ✅ (primarily via education and targeted QUM visits) |
| Completes comprehensive medication reviews | ✅ | ✅ |
Note: On-site pharmacists cannot bill for RMMRs. Where a RACH has an on-site pharmacist under the ACOP program, RMMR claims by visiting pharmacists are not permitted. However, GPs can still claim the relevant Medicare item for a medication review if the claiming criteria is fulfilled.
Residential aged care home eligibility
Residential aged care homes are eligible if they either:
- receive residential care facility subsidy from the Australian Government in accordance with the Aged Care Act 1997
- are an Australian Government-funded transition care facility
- are a Multi-Purpose Service
Residential aged care homes that provide only respite care are not eligible.
Information for Pharmacists
Pharmacists interested in working within aged care homes under the ACOP program must either:
- have completed an Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)-accredited aged care on-site pharmacist training program OR
- have an existing Medication Management Review credential and commit to completing by 30 June 2026:
- an APC-accredited aged care on-site pharmacist training program OR
- an APC-accredited aged care on-site pharmacist recognition of prior learning process.
From 1 July 2026 all pharmacists participating in the measure must have completed an APC-accredited aged care on-site pharmacist training program.
Resources
- Resources to support ACOP integration: Capital Health Network | For Health Professionals – Pharmacists in RACF Study
Information and Support
Eastern Melbourne PHN can support residential aged care homes and pharmacists to understand and implement the ACOP program. Support may include:
- Sharing national guidance, tools and resources
- Supporting connections between aged care homes and pharmacists
- Providing information about training pathways and accredited education programs
- Guidance on integrating pharmacists into care teams
If you are a pharmacist or community pharmacy with interest and capacity in the ACOP role, we want to hear from you. EMPHN can provide information about ACOP training pathways, program requirements, and local opportunities to support aged care homes across the EMPHN region. Contact us at RACHsupport@emphn.org.au