A FEDERAL Government olive branch to pharmacies forced to adjust to 60-day dispensing rules coming into effect in the coming weeks, would not have saved Montville Pharmacy from having to close.
The Albanese Government recently announced it was funding $148.2 million into regional pharmacies.
Those operating under Modified Monash classifications – which determines subsidies for various health services – would be entitled to amounts from $52,000 to nearly $200,000 over four years.
But Montville, which is classified as a level 2 Modified Monash town, would only be entitled to $52,000 over four years.
This is understood to be far from enough to have helped save the hinterland town’s only pharmacy from closing its doors at the end of July.
It has since merged with Mapleton Pharmacy.
The Montville Pharmacy was already suffering from the closure of the only medical centre in town.
Health Minister Mark Butler, said the transition payment would provide support for more than 1000 pharmacies in regional, rural and remote Australia.
“Pharmacies hold a special place in rural and regional Australia – they’re a critical part of the fabric of a community and are often the most accessible health setting,” he said.
“We want to make sure that regional and rural pharmacies are given the opportunity to seize these new growth opportunities, just like city pharmacies.
“Dispensing medicines is complex and critical, but it is not the only reason that pharmacies and pharmacists are so highly valued.”
Pharmacy Guild National President, Professor Trent Twomey, said the heartbreaking decision taken by Natalie Lindner was not in isolation, with pharmacies in every state and territory doing the same.
“The Government has forced funding cuts on community pharmacies and what we are seeing now is just the tip of the iceberg,” he said.