LACK of progress on the 8th Community Pharmacy Agreement (8CPA) from the Federal Govt has been flagged by spokesperson for the Community and Pharmacy Support Group (CAPS), Emil Demyane, in a video where he also emphasised the significance of the Canberra protest planned for the 06 Feb (PD 10 Jan).
Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler announced in Aug last year that the 8CPA negotiations with the Pharmacy Guild would begin early.
Demyane stated in the video that since then, there has been an absence of communication from the Govt with no indication of a finalised deal by the nominated date of 01 Mar 2024.
He said, "this Govt has made a mess, they don't listen, they don't care, and they clearly don't understand the detriment of not putting together an 8CPA".
The prospect of productive talks caused CAPS to pull back late last year on protests to give the govt a chance to develop the 8CPA, but with the Mar deadline looming, Demyane noted that the inaction by the Govt will only cause increasing fear and concern through the pharmacy industry.
"I'm scared for my business and I'm sure the rest of you are," Demyane commented.
"It's jeopardising patient health, it's jeopardising the pockets of our patients, and it's jeopardising the viability of community pharmacy in Australia," he warned.
Demyane urged CAPS members to be proactive and spread the word regarding the protest planned for 06 Feb on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra, and to be prepared for potential announcements on the day. JG
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 19 Jan 24
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