The Federal government has proposed a new budget measure which will slash pharmacies income by half and deprive communities of some essential services that we have been providing so far.

On the surface, the 60–Day dispensary rule may appear to save money, but the flow on effects from this is both dangerous and devastating to not just pharmacies but also the community.

Under the new rules, pharmacies will be forced to charge for free services like packaging medication for the elderly, free deliveries every day of the week, walk-in free vaccinations and flu shots etc.

Halving our income is a drastic step that will force us to cut costs wherever we can. We will have to let staff go and can’t be open till 10pm every day any longer. The current budgeting subsidzes all of the free support services we offer to vulnerable Australians but we will no longer be able to afford that.

There is an increased risk of people missing essential medications as 60-day dispensing will worsen and exacerbate the current medicines shortage crises which means that some people will get a double supply, but more would miss out and go without.

There are also safety concerns as many of the medications listed on the proposed list of medications allowed to be dispensed in 60-day intervals, are dangerous and even fatal in overdose. LONG-WAIT times in public hospital emergency rooms and a worsening of the ambulance crisis as community members will need to attend hospital or call the ambulance for children’s Panadol or an asthma inhaler because their usual pharmacy does not open extended hours anymore.

In summary, this policy is short-sighted and will result in reduced availability of essential medications, reduced accessibility to care, and an increased risk of medication-related harms and IT MUST NOT GO AHEAD

Thank you for your support! Signing this petition is a great start, however, in order to truly make an impact, please contact as many Federal MP's IMMEDIATELY to voice your concerns about this bill and the devastating impact it will have on community pharmacies Australia-wide. Together we can help to ensure the survival of community pharmacies, but we MUST ACT NOW!