A NEW report has highlighted the dire consequences of the Federal Government’s 60-day dispensing policy, including the loss of up to 20,000 jobs, the closure of 665 pharmacies, and a detrimental impact on Australia’s most vulnerable patients.
The report, conducted by esteemed economist Henry Ergas AO in collaboration with Tulipwood Advisory and the Relational Insights Data Lab at Griffith University, has also recommended a delay in the policy’s implementation to allow for proper consultation with the community and pharmacy sector.
The findings of the report emphasize that elderly individuals with chronic health conditions and residents in regional areas will bear the brunt of the policy.
In addition to the closure of 665 pharmacies, another 900 establishments face significant financial pressure and the risk of closure.
Consequently, pharmacies will be forced to reduce their opening hours, including weekends, and discontinue free services such as blood pressure monitoring, home delivery of medicines, and diabetes and asthma programs.
The report indicates that the government’s policy will strip $4.5 billion from community pharmacies over four years, with no reinvestment of the funds, thereby negatively impacting millions of patients. Trent Twomey, President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, called the report a wake-up call for the Federal Government, underscoring the catastrophic nature of the policy’s current form. He expressed concerns over the substantial job losses, the closure of over 650 pharmacies, restricted weekend opening hours, and the elimination of millions of free services.
While acknowledging the Health Minister’s recent commitment to a viable pharmacy network, Twomey urged the government to align their actions with their words. He stressed the importance of realistic consideration of the policy’s impact and the need for thorough discussions with industry stakeholders.
