THE Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is calling on the Senate to put patients first and pass 60-day dispensing reforms today to "save patients money and time, and free up GP appointments".
The doctor's lobby asserts, "after months of intense lobbying and dishonest scare campaigns by the pharmacy lobby group, the Liberal-National Coalition will today move a disallowance motion in an attempt to stop 60-day dispensing reforms passing the Senate".
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins has urged the Senate to pass the reforms for patients doing it tough.
"Sixty-day dispensing is a long overdue reform," she said.
"As a GP from rural Australia, I know our patients deserve better.
"Thirty-day dispensing doesn't make sense for people who've been on the same medications for stable conditions for years.
"It's an unnecessary financial pain, and for people in rural and remote areas, frequent drives to the pharmacy are a real burden.
"The pharmacy owners are one of Australia's biggest political donors and they expect a return on investment, but they shouldn't be able to decide policy," said Higgins.
"I'm calling on politicians of all stripes to put everyday Australians first, before business profits, and work together to pass these reforms."
MEANWHILE, to bring attention to the impact that the 60-Day Dispensing legislation will have on pharmacy, the Community And Pharmacy Support Group (CAPS), a group of pharmacies, pharmacists, interns and pharmacy students and customers, will "walk for awareness" on 17th Aug from Sydney's Townhall to Martin Place.
A CAPS representative, Emil Demyane, said that pharmacies want to be able to deliver cheaper medicine for all Australians but not at the expense of the community pharmacies, which are already under strain.
"As it stands, the only way to survive the cuts will be to reduce staff, opening hours and cut many of our current free services.
"Pharmacies are already under strain, and we care about health outcomes for the community.
"This ill-conceived policy will result in further cost of living pressures and many job losses."
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