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Coalition will seek to block Labor plan for cheaper medicine after backlash from pharmacies (www.theguardian.com)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

19 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Seems like the tl;dr is that profits of pharmacies is the highest priority.

Under the changes to take effect from 1 September, about 6 million Australians will be able to collect two-for-one scripts for 320 common medicines, leading to savings of up to $180 a year for each medicine.

The move will save patients more than $1.6bn over the next four years, but is estimated to cost pharmacies $1.2bn due to less frequent dispensing fees.

The Pharmacy Guild has lobbied intensely against the policy, seeking compensation from the government and warning of staff cuts and fee increases for services such as packing Webster packs for elderly patients.

In in-store campaign material, pharmacists have claimed the policy has contributed to medicine shortages and urged patients to blame the prime minister, Anthony Albanese.

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[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm actually sympathetic to rural pharmacies having increased financial viability issues (although the Rural Pharmacy Maintenance Allowance will apparently be doubled in the next budget), but the Pharmacy Guild I think has run a misleading campaign, such as referring to widespread shortages. The Pharmacy Guild has a lot of power in this country, but I'm glad most people seem to support increased dispensing.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago

They way the Pharmacy Guild presented their case was pretty disgusting. I would have had a lot of sympathy about the issue of reducing income for pharmacies, and supported changes to make sure there are equitable outcomes for them. But the whole thing about shortages etc. and just trying to block any change was just rotten. They could have focused on making it a win/win situation - asking for an increase to their payments to make sure they are not losing money would be fair, and the changes would give more time to both customers and pharmacists. Instead of stressing about not forcing people in to their stores frequently so they can upsell them on the other dodgy shit they sell they could have focused on using that extra time to improve health outcomes, which they are constantly saying they are so vital for. If they want to keep their special privileges they get as medical professionals they should act like medical professionals and not shop owners who dispense medicine as a sideline.