Better Access Australia welcomes the Coalition's recognition that without a viable community pharmacy network, access to cheaper medicines will not be a reality for many in our community. Medicines are not cheaper if your local pharmacy is no longer there to dispense them.
"We thank the Coalition for listening to patients who are calling for the Albanese Government to delay the roll out of the 60-day dispensing measure until it has been properly scoped and consulted upon as part of the eighth community pharmacy agreement (8CPA). Better Access Australia Chair Felicity McNeill PSM said
"We all want cheaper medicines but we need to be able to access them. Reduced opening hours, pharmacy closures, reduction in services that so many rely upon because their GPs don't have a spare appointment – we can all wait six months for cheaper medicines if it means our primary health care provider – our local pharmacy – is still there when we need it. Ms McNeill added.
"Like the Coalition, Better Access Australia has been a been strong advocate for improving the affordability of medicines for all patients since 2020.
"The Coalition lead the reform of medicine costs in Australia with their 2019 election commitment to reduce safety nets. They did it again in 2022 and were the first party to promise a reduction on the cost of medicines for general patients in the 2022 election.
"But like the Coalition and so many other parliamentarians we have watched first-hand the increasing numbers of rushed announcements in health that have had significant consequences for both patients and the health care providers that care for them.
"Reform health care with us, don't do it to us.
"Right now, new patients are missing out on opiate dependence treatment because the Government didn't consult with the community, prescribers, dispensers, suppliers and wholesalers before announcing their new measure. When we should be celebrating the rectification of four years of obfuscation, we are instead all trying to ensure access is maintained and pharmacists that care for their community can continue to afford to deliver these services at reduced rates of pay.
"60-day dispensing helps patients with their cost of living, it helps government deliver the PBS for less, but what does it mean for pharmacists?
"That's what we need to know.
"That's why Better Access Australia support the senate and the parliament delaying the implementation of the 60-day dispensing measure until all in the community have been consulted on 60-day dispensing as part of the 8CPA to ensure our local pharmacies remains local and open."
