Ensure the viability of community pharmacies.

Community pharmacies are our easiest access to a health professional. They are under threat due to big barn pharmacies permitted to exist and undermine by our government as a way to get free drugs to poor people. Cut the $5 fee Pharmacies are required to capture from their clients as tax gatherers for the government and level the playing field. Community pharmacies provide extensive services free to the public which help Dr's loads. They work in conjunction with Dr's to share knowledge and care plans. They give free advice to people who may be stressed or confused about their health and they do not work in 10 or 15 minute appointments. They create long term relationships with sick people and their families. If we lose this from our communities the cost will be social as well as financial and we will be worse for it.

Why the contribution is important

Because Community Pharmacy is vitally important and it is struggling to survive against Supermarket chains and Big Barn Chemist Warehouse operations.

by Donnachalmers on March 13, 2023 at 12:25PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.9
Based on: 10 votes

Comments

  • Posted by AceTimelord March 18, 2023 at 08:02

    Great idea, absolutely, please cut the 5dollar prescription charge. Was so sad when I had to switch from my local pharmacy, but as a disabled person on fourteen prescriptions every three months, that 23 dollars a month every month until the yearly cap kicked in was really hard on a benefit, with my disability allowance maxed out. And I needed my daily pills in a blister pack which is expensive from a local pharmacy, but free from an online one. Added to that, for me, getting to the pharmacy was hard, but for many who don't have access to the internet etc, it is absolutely essential to have that local pharmacy.
    Both need to be viable, and be there.
    I have been pleasantly surprised with the customer service over the phone for my prescription meds, but that is just prescription meds. I can't walk into the online pharmacy and feel the different bandages to see what they look like (blind problems). Etc etc.
    So removing the prescription charge, at least for low and middle income folks, would help local pharmacies, and would then mean that people can have what they really really need: choice.

  • Posted by hballantyne March 22, 2023 at 18:43

    I totally agree - my local pharmacy will remind me about certain drugs and their interactions, ways to take them etc, and get to know me and my needs as a whole person. So when I'm prescribed something new, the pharmacist will ensure I am able to take it. The Dr will google it!

    I also get the card for free prescriptions after a certain number in a year. It normally kicks in after 6 months. Perhaps this could kick in earlier, which would help the pharmacies, the patients and still get some income for the government from people who have low medical needs.

    Especially older people with heart, arthritis and pain drugs, need to take multiple tablets. Other people get one or two prescriptions a year. They could still pay.

  • Posted by Concerned123 April 13, 2023 at 22:29

    Great idea
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