Jul 13, 2023

60-day pharmacy dispensing jeopardises rural and regional areas

Shutterstock_310750661
Sixty-day dispensing may sound good, but dig a little deeper and it’s rural and regional Australia that will pay, writes Trent Twomey of the Pharmacy Guild.

Some of you may remember the Joni Mitchell song ‘Big Yellow Taxi’ with the verse, “You don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone.” It may as well be the theme song for 60-day dispensing, where pharmacists will be required to dispense two months’ worth of medicine for the price of one month. 

I fear patients won’t realise the true impact of 60-day dispensing until the pharmacy they’ve got, is gone. And by then it will be too late.

Our concerns have been justified by an independent report published recently. The review was carried out by economist Henry Ergas AO along with Tulipwood Advisory and the Relational Insights Data Lab at Griffith University. 

That’s because in rural and regional Australia it’s the local community pharmacist which is often not just the first point of primary healthcare, it’s the ONLY point of primary healthcare. In fact, there are 332 localities in Australia where there is a pharmacy, but there is no GP surgery.

Now the Federal Government is implementing a policy, without consultation, which will make it impossible for many of these pharmacies to survive. And when they close, patients in these affected areas will have to drive further and longer just to get medicine. So much for the Government’s line “Patients will be better off”.

Health Minister, Mark Butler’s response so far is, “Every single dollar saved by the Government will go back into pharmacy services,” but his Department’s figures just don’t add up. His government’s own impact analysis says on average each pharmacy stands to lose $158,000 per year as a result of the 60-day dispensing policy. 

The independent report says 60-day dispensing will rip $4.5 billion out of the frontline healthcare sector and yes the Federal Government says it is “re-investing” $1.2 billion. That’s like me borrowing $4500 from you, paying back just $1200 and saying, “the debt is settled.”

If you don’t believe me, there are already pharmacies throughout Australia that have already had to lay off staff and shorten trading hours. 

But that’s not all. Soon you’ll feel the effect with cuts to free services such as blood pressure monitoring, diabetes management, websters packs for the aged and home delivery of medicines. These are all services which the current dispensing arrangement helps pay for and keeps your local pharmacy‘s doors open for longer.

Unless the Government delays the implementation of 60-day dispensing, as has been recommended, you will see more of these cuts and closures from September when the policy is in place. I hope it doesn’t come to this and we are urging the government to come up with a proper solution. Because if it doesn’t, “you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.” 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Preventing Elder Abuse: New Peak Body Established Protect Older Australians

Elder abuse is a reality that older people should not have to face. However, unfortunately, far too many older people find themselves victims of physical, psychological or emotional, sexual or financial abuse. The World Health Organization defines elder abuse as “a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where... Read More

Immersive sensory experiences a bridge to resident wellbeing 

  We all benefit from having our senses stimulated, and that doesn’t change as we grow older. But for aged care residents, sensory stimulation can become more challenging due to health conditions that restrict mobility and strength, or cognitive impairment, such as dementia, that can affect the senses. Our senses help us navigate the world,... Read More

Doctor’s Advice to Elderly: Don’t push yourself this Summer

Older generations need to know the dangers of heatstroke, as various parts of Australia are predicted to have rising day and night temperatures this summer. Dr Ryan Harvey from House Call Doctor says, “those over 65 years in age are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses”. Heatstroke occurs from the progression of heat stress, when the... Read More
Advertisement