SPEAKING at the National Press Club in Canberra yesterday, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said his dept would only "monitor" the impact of the 60-day medication policy.
The Pharmacy Guild's economic modelling, using data provided by the Dept of Health, shows this policy will cut $3.5b in patient care over the next four years.
This $3.5b cut has a $1.2b saving to the Budget in Govt dispensing fees, with community pharmacies expected to pay for a further $2.3b in patient fees for the policy.
Guild President Trent Twomey said the Govt needed to return $3.5b to community pharmacies.
"Put simply, he's giving on one hand and taking away with another and that's bad policy which means bad outcomes for patients."
Twomey said Butler also refused to guarantee there would be no medicine shortages under his policy.
"Using TGA information there are 158 medicines that are either in shortage or anticipated shortage when the policy begins," Twomey said.
"These include Trulicity and Ozempic for diabetes, Cadivast, Acetec Teveten for blood pressure, Simpral for Parkinson's, and Zoloft for depression.
"Double of nothing is still nothing and patients will not get the medicine they need."
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 03 May 23
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 03 May 23
