New staff, same service, at the Veterans’ Affairs Pharmaceutical Advisory Centre (VAPAC)

Operated by new staff, the Veterans’ Affairs Pharmaceutical Advisory Centre’s (VAPAC) quality of service will remain the same.

General Practitioners and other health care providers that treat veterans will likely be familiar with the Veterans’ Affairs Pharmaceutical Advisory Centre (VAPAC). VAPAC is a pharmaceutical phone centre that can approve authority scripts for veteran patients via the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS).

The service has been refreshed following the conclusion of the previous workforce contract, with a new workforce employed under a new arrangement by DVA.

While this is a normal administrative change, there has been some misinformation circulating within the health care community that the change will affect the level and quality of service VAPAC provides.

VAPAC service standards

There has been no change to the services provided due to the change. The service standards remain the same and the VAPAC will continue to be manned by professional staff to deliver VAPAC services.

VAPAC delivery model

VAPAC will not be decentralised. The 24/7 (1800 552 580) phone line will remain in full operation out of the DVA Brisbane office.

Administration

Information circulating that the new contract will be administered by Bupa is incorrect.

The new arrangements will take effect on 1 April 2021 and the VAPAC will continue to support you to support your veteran clients.

If you have any questions or concerns about the change please get in touch with the Pharmacy Programs and Operations team at ppo [at] dva.gov.au (ppo[at]dva[dot]gov[dot]au)