Dispensing concerns as proposal set to go ahead

Emma Pritchard

It wasn’t a decision he took lightly.

But as September 1 approaches, and the Federal Government’s proposed changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which will allow Australians to purchase up to two months’ worth of medications for the price of a single prescription go ahead, Clarence Valley Pharmacist Michael Troy from Southside Pharmacy revealed he is reducing trading hours at his secondary business Masen’s Pharmacy in South Grafton from next week as a means of remaining viable.

“With the looming detrimental impact 60-day dispensing will have on my businesses, it’s a small step I feel pressured into taking in order to keep the doors open so we can continue to service the needs of our customers as best we can with the changes that will be implemented by the Federal Government,” he explained.

“After the Minister for Health (Mark Butler) made the announcement (to introduce 60-day dispensing) on April 26, I quickly started looking at potential impacts and ways to mitigate them.

“One of them was ultimately to reduce trading hours because trading hours equates to wages, and wages are an expense the business has to have in order to operate.”

With the Federal Government not backing down on their decision to come back to the negotiating table and discuss 60-day dispensing of medications with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and other invested parties, Mr Troy made the decision two weeks ago and said it was one of the first options to take to try and keep in front of the reduction in income he will face as a business owner when the proposed changes are introduced next month.

Other changes Mr Troy has been forced to introduce include a $5 fee for blood pressure checks and home deliveries.

And possible staff cuts could follow.

As he remains vigilant in his fight to retain his valuable team of employees while continuing to serve the Clarence Valley community, Mr Troy acknowledged the Pharmacy Guild of Australia as they continue lobbying the Federal Government in an effort to reach a solution.

“This policy (60-day dispensing) is only really serving one person, and that is the Federal Government,” he said.

“Patients are already noticing changes to community pharmacies, and it’s the pharmacists who are bearing the brunt.”

Earlier this month, a nationwide survey of 1000 community pharmacies conducted by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia revealed one in four have reduced opening hours, more than half have increased fees for previously free services, and over 200 pharmacy employees have been made redundant.

Despite claims by Mr Butler that the proposed changes will halve medicine costs for six million Australians, Mr Troy disagrees, stating there will be a number of negative impacts on regional pharmacies like the ones he is already feeling pressured into introducing.

While Mr Troy gratefully acknowledged Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan for taking a stand against the proposal, he said he will continue to be proactive in the best interests of his businesses, and his local community.