The changes from September 1 will allow patients to get 60 days’ worth of medication dispensed for a single prescription, rather than 30.
The coalition government last week launched an unsuccessful bid to overturn the measures in parliament, arguing regional pharmacies would face financial pressure when the changes take effect.
While the legislation has been touted as a potential benefit for patients, local pharmacists are also worried about the broader implications on medication supply and their businesses.
Pharmasave Corowa owner Gurmej Singh acknowledged the potential benefits the legislation could bring to patients by reducing the number of visits they need to make for medication refills. However, he expressed concerns about how this change might impact the day-to-day operations of pharmacies and broader medication supply issues.
“Just when we thought the market might have settled down, the goalposts change again,” Mr Singh said back in June.
“Certainly, there will be an impact on how we operate, but the extent of that impact remains uncertain.”
At a community rally in Sydney just last week, The Community and Pharmacy Support Group (CAPS) expressed concerns that the 60-Day dispensing policy, designed and delivered without consultation with the pharmacy sector, would have a deep and negative impact on thousands of local pharmacies across the country.
Representative for the CAPS group Emil Demyane said that while pharmacists want to deliver cheaper medicine for all Australians, they don’t want to see pharmacies close and people losing essential services.
“We ask that the government pause the 60-day dispensing until a new Community Pharmacy Agreement can be implemented,” Mr Demyane.
“A better solution would be for the government to halve the co-payment cost so every citizen of the country has a fair go.
“As it stands, the only way for pharmacies to survive the cuts will be to charge for currently free services, reduce staff levels and open fewer hours. This will hurt patients and communities.”
Deputy Opposition Leader and Member for Farrer Sussan Ley also attended last week’s rally and expressed strong concern over the potential fallout.
“The Albanese Labor Government must guarantee no pharmacy will close, and no one will be worse off as a result of this policy,” she said.
“Sixty day dispensing is an important cost-of-living relief measure and we want the government to get this right.
“The Albanese Government has failed to consider the risks which could see access to essential healthcare disrupted, community pharmacies close down, and the costs increased for Australia’s most vulnerable.
“They need to come to the table with the sector and get this right – and so far, they have shown no ability to do so.”
Just last week, a report by the Commonwealth Bank and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) revealed a bleak outlook from pharmacists as a result of the introduction of 60-day dispensing. Among the disturbing figures the report reveals pharmacies ice looking at reviewing free services, reducing the number of pharmacy assistants and hours they are open (see separate story).
Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President Professor Trent Twomey said: “This independent report confirms that patients will now be forced to pay for free pharmacy services under the government’s 60-day dispensing policy.
“For months we have been sounding the alarm on behalf of patients and pharmacists and unfortunately this Commonwealth Bank report has again confirmed our fears.”
The report follows a survey by the Guild of 1,000 pharmacists which showed 23% have already changed their trading hours and 250 jobs have been lost as a result of the current implementation of 60-day dispensing.
Among the free services under review are blood pressure monitoring, dose administration aids such as webster packs for aged care facilities and home delivery of medicines.
“The Prime Minister and the Health Minister can no longer ignore the concerns of 6,000 community pharmacies and the many unintended consequences of 60-day dispensing,” Professor Trent Twomey said.
Despite these concerns, many doctors see potential benefits for patients in regional areas. The Rural Doctors Association of Australia president, Megan Belot, highlighted the advantages for rural patients, who often have to travel long distances to access medical care.
“Reducing this burden will save them exponentially more money, in addition to the reduced dispensing fees,” Dr. Belot said.
