Source: Twin Waters Pharmacy | All Rights Reserved
Today, Pharmacist Ben and many other pharmacists, pharmacy assistants, family and friends are heading to Canberra to take part in a protest against the current form of the Government’s 60 day dispensing policy.
We do this despite the Government finally agreeing to consult with the sector to develop a new agreement 15 months earlier than ever before. Whilst we are hopefully that a new agreement can be reached, we do not trust them to stay true to their word.
The “open door” policy of community pharmacy provides all of Australia with the quickest and least costly access to qualified health professionals. Every day there are thousands of instances where pharmacists are triaging, advising and treating people. There are people who would either have to wait for a GP appointment, present to hospital emergency or go without treatment.
These are services we are proud to provide. But we can’t do it for free. The Government through the 60 day policy is saying they don’t value what we provide to healthcare. So we are forced to charge our patients for these services or stop providing them.
Getting this Government to recognise the importance of effective and accessible healthcare is our mission. We won’t stop until they recognise and support universal and accessible healthcare for everyone.