REGIONAL COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS IN LABOR FIRING LINE

Regionally based residents requiring prescriptions stand to lose under a city-centric Labor Government plan to change pharmacist dispensing rules, says Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack.

The Government is planning to double dispensing to 60 days, which would increase the amount of a prescribed drug allowed per prescription as well as extending the prescription period.

Mr McCormack has spoken to several local pharmacy operators about the plan, who are saying they were facing shutting up shop if the plan was implemented.

“West Wyalong pharmacist Brian Monaghan was irate – he told me costs to local pharmacists would go through the roof and force people out of business, leaving patients high and dry,” Mr McCormack said.

“I have also spoken at length with Pharmacy Guild President Trent Twomey about this issue.

“This is another ill-thought Labor imprudence which will certainly cause calamity in the regions.

“These proposed changes will surely cause significant drug shortages in the short term and likely lead to pharmacy closures in small communities which can ill afford to lose such a vital service.

“This Government tries to convey it is a strong supporter of the health industry but decisions such as these take their biggest toll on communities which can least afford it – those in regional Australia.

“Our most vulnerable people will suffer if this inept plan comes to fruition.

“It will kill off local pharmacies in our small communities because they will be forced to vastly increase their stock holdings.

“It will cause untold pain for patients already suffering with various ailments, including those afflicted with high cholesterol, diabetes, depression and anxiety, high blood pressure and epilepsy to name just a few.

“I strongly urge Health Minister Mark Butler to seriously reconsider this proposal.”