Mulwala Pharmacist Abbey Hammon is warning about the adverse effects of proposed 60 day dispensing legislation.
If the Federal Governments proposed 60-day dispensing legislation rolls out on September 1, it will be detrimental to the viability of small rural pharmacies.
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That’s the view of Mulwala Pharmacy’s owner Abbey Hammon who said it may seem appealing to many “however it will not necessarily save everyone money and will result in significant changes and losses to community pharmacies”.
“It will basically halve the pharmacies income,” she told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.
“This ultimately will force us to have to consider reducing trading hours, cutting staff jobs, and reducing or charging for services that have previously been provided for free. What’s more, it will also result in further medication shortages that are already a real concern.
“It seems wrong that we can offer one customer two months’ worth of medication but then have to tell the next customer we have no medication available to fill their prescription. In a time when we already have severe medication shortages this will only make the problem worse.”
Little consideration has been given to how this proposal will decrease rural patients’ access to healthcare as far as Abbey is concerned.
“If people can’t see a doctor they are already recommended to come and speak with their local pharmacy where we will strive to assist with any healthcare needs,” she said.
“But if we are having to reduce opening hours and public holidays, we are open, there is even less chance for people to speak with a health professional for even minor medical issues.
“What’s more, seeing customers every month allows pharmacists to monitor how patients are taking their medications and compliance which is so important to allow best health outcomes. Also, in a small community like ours, it allows customers to get out and about and touch base with familiar faces on a regular basis.”
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the changes would effectively halve the cost of medication for patients. “However, it will actually make it much harder for patients to reach their safety net and so they won’t be able to get their medications for free,” the Mulwala pharmacist said.
“Mulwala Pharmacy wants to be able to continue to service the community and be there for customers when they are in need.
“As a pharmacist, that is what we are trained for and personally what I love most about my job,” Abbey said.
“Unfortunately 60 day dispensing is putting that at risk and will change the availability of services we can offer.”
She has warned Mulwala Pharmacy may be forced to charge for what is now free healthcare advice, free webster packing, free blood pressure monitoring, free deliveries just to name a few, and then emphasised: “This certainly is not what we are wanting as an industry but these government changes may force our hand to do this in order for your local community pharmacy to survive.”
Like other pharmacies, Mulwala Pharmacy has expressed disappointment that no government consultation with the pharmacy industry took place.
“Healthcare workers are in short supply as it is, let’s not make it even harder for people to get the healthcare they need,” Abbey said.
“We want to be able to continue to support our local customers and community without having to compromise the services we can offer.”
CAPS hold protest march
Community And Pharmacy Support Group (CAPS) - a group of approximately 150 individual pharmacies, pharmacists, interns and pharmacy students – participated in a ‘walk for awareness’ to bring attention to the impact that the 60 day dispensing legislation will have on local pharmacies and most importantly, their patients last Saturday in Sydney.
Local Federal member for Farrer was at a march last week in Syndey to assist in raising awareness about the impact that the 60 day dispensing legislation will have on local pharmacies.
The Federal Labor Government’s 60 day dispensing legislation will have a deep and negative impact on thousands of local pharmacies according to CAPS.
“It was designed and delivered without consultation with the pharmacy sector,” CAPS said in a statement.
“It is estimated that the new policy will result in over 20,000 jobs lost, cause over 600 pharmacies to close with another thousand struggling to survive.”
Local Federal member for Farrer and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party Sussan Ley was at the march in support of the “walk for awareness”.
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