The Department of Health in conjunction with the Pharmacy Guild decided to adopt the use of the Modified Monash Model (MMM) of rural classification for the Regional Pharmacy Maintenance Allowance (RPMA) program from 1 January 2021.

The RPMA Program Rules state that if a Pharmacy does not meet one or more of the Community Pharmacy eligibility criteria, the Pharmacy owner may submit an exceptional circumstances request. They also state that an RPMA Application or Annual Renewal rejection due to a change in an Eligible Community Pharmacy’s circumstances such as a script volume or MMM category is not considered an exceptional circumstance.

Pharmacy owners cannot submit an exceptional circumstances request to have their MMM category rating changed or annual funding allocation reviewed. Exceptional circumstances requests will only be considered by the Department of Health when they relate to the other eligibility requirements of the Program (i.e. reduced opening hours).

Further information about the switch to MMM can be found on the RPMA webpage available here.