THE Grattan Institute says the current legislation governing pharmacy ownership in Queensland is "more effective in protecting the commercial interests of pharmacy owners than serving the public interest".
A submission to the current Qld Parliamentary Inquiry into pharmacy (PD 23 Jul) by the policy think-tank's health program director, Stephen Duckett, says cautious removal of the state's pharmacy ownership rules "could lower dispensing costs and ensure cost savings are shared by all parties".
He said pharmacists are currently locked into inefficient business models, also urging that pharmacies should be allowed to provide a broader range of health services including vaccinations, prescription repeats and chronic disease management.
"This would improve consumer access and convenience while reducing cost...[it] would also reduce some of the burden on general practice," Duckett wrote.
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