A new independent report has found up to 5,954 jobs and 123 pharmacies will be lost in Queensland, and the state’s most vulnerable patients will suffer due to the Federal Government’s 60-day dispensing medicine policy.
The policy, which is scheduled to start on September 1, will require pharmacists to provide 60-days of medicine to the patient, while only providing 50 per cent of the funding.
The report* was conducted by renowned economist Henry Ergas AO with Tulipwood Advisory and the Relational Insights Data Lab at Griffith University, and recommended the policy be delayed.
This comes as Queensland pharmacies launch the Save Your Local Pharmacy campaign from today, with in-store banners, radio, digital and TV advertising to explain the facts and devastating consequences of the Federal Government’s policy.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch President Chris Owen said the Federal Government policy would impact millions of Queensland patients.
“This independent report confirms the policy will adversely affect millions of Queensland patients in its current form, almost 6,000 job losses, more than 100 pharmacies shutting, weekend opening hours drastically scaled back and millions of free services cut.
“This should be a wake-up call to the Federal Government, and it highlights that no consultation was undertaken, and the policy was rushed by the Department of Health with no modelling or understanding of the impact on community pharmacies and Queensland patients.
“Unfortunately, as the new report shows this policy will force Queensland pharmacies to cut opening hours, including on weekends, and end free services for patients such as blood pressure monitoring, home delivery of medicines and diabetes and asthma programs,” says Mr Owen.
The new independent report found:
- 123 community pharmacies in Queensland will be forced to close.
- 5,954 workers in Queensland community pharmacies will lose their jobs over the next four years.
- Community pharmacies will be forced to cut opening hours by 2.5 hours each day, on average.
- Free services like blood pressure monitoring, weight checking, home delivery of medicines and asthma monitoring will be cut.
Fiona Watson who runs in Wholelife Pharmacy & Healthfoods – Redland Bay said the report’s findings reflected the situation on the ground in the community.
“These are unprecedented changes that will fundamentally change the way patients get medicine and access support from my pharmacy.
“It is counterintuitive for the Federal Government to announce more support for Medicare and welcome reform changes to the health system at the same time forcing pharmacists to cut services.
“I know there are a lot of remote pharmacies where it would come to that point where they would have to close their doors and this report only confirms the very real impact following this decision,” says Ms Watson.
The Queensland Save Your Local Pharmacy campaign will be rolled out this week in every community across the state to explain the facts and devastating consequences of 60-day dispensing. The campaign will feature advertising in community pharmacies, and across radio, digital and TV.
To have your say and learn more about the impact of 60-day dispensing, visit saveyourlocalpharmacy.com.au.
Media Enquiries:
Kate McKay
Media and Communications Manager
0435 469 751
kate.mckay@qldquild.org.au