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Russell Broadbent defends regional pharmacies against negative impact of 60-day prescriptions and risks of closures and job losses

Broadbent protects regional pharmacies from the unforeseen impact of 60-day prescriptions. Criticises the Labor government for lack of analysis and calls for common-sense solutions.

By news@gippsland - 13th July 2023 - Back to News

Services delivered into my regional electorate of Monash are important to my community wherever or whatever the service provider offers. Recently, I was accused of being a spokesperson for the Pharmacy Guild of Australia. Wrong. I am a defender of my people in Monash. Chemists provide many free services - medical advice, home deliveries, visits to aged care facilities, blister packs and much more.

Implementation of 60-day prescriptions by the Albanese government threatens pharmacies, risking closure of 600 and 20,000 job losses

Pharmacy threat concerns

These small pharmacies are generally family run businesses that enhance communities across the nation. If you live in the city, there seems to be a pharmacy on every corner not so here in the country. The Albanese government's decision to implement 60-day prescriptions will undermine the business model of every pharmacy in Monash and across regional Australia.

I'm hearing it could force the closure of over 600 pharmacies and lead to 20,000 job losses. Even Labor backbenchers are revolting against the policy, with Senator Helen Polley warning the 60-day dispensing may force regional pharmacies to close, and MP Mike Freelander calling for an increase in compensation for chemists. And so they should.

Liberal and National governments have always put in place policies that support pharmacies in small rural townships and they worked. Where was the careful analysis of this policy that clearly has unintended consequences for country people? It looks once again like bad policy equals bad politics - especially for us! How I would love to see a large dose of common-sense wash over this government. That's Justice As I See It.

Pictures from Drouin Amcal Pharmacy Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com