Opposition and Greens leaders urged to rule out disallowance motion

Pharma News: In a bid to save both money and time for millions of Australians, consumer, health, and doctor groups have come together to advocate for the implementation of 60-day dispensing reforms. The proposed changes are set to double the amount of medicines pharmacists can provide to patients, offering up to 60 days’ worth of medication for stable chronic conditions listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). However, concerns have arisen over a potential disallowance motion that could derail these much-needed reforms.

Patient and consumer groups, including the Consumer Health Forum, Asthma Australia, Breast Cancer Network Australia, Lung Foundation Australia, and the Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative, have expressed their support for the reforms, as have National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations. These organisations believe that the 60-day dispensing initiative will significantly benefit patients and alleviate financial burdens, enabling them to better manage their chronic conditions.

Despite overwhelming support from various stakeholders, a coordinated scare campaign by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia has emerged in recent months, fuelling fears that the Opposition and The Greens may attempt to block the reforms in the Senate through a disallowance motion.

Senator Ruston exposes consultations with pharmacy sector as doctors and consumers rally for 60-day medicine dispensing

Dr Nicole Higgins, President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), called upon Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and The Greens to prioritise the welfare of Australians and unequivocally rule out the disallowance motion. Dr Higgins argued that the 60-day dispensing reforms would not only save millions of people money and time but would also ease the burden on general practitioners, allowing them to allocate more time to other patients.

“Disappointingly, this scare campaign has targeted vulnerable people with fearful messages and misinformation, including claims there will be shortages of medicines that aren’t on the list for 60-day scripts. This campaign also fails to acknowledge that all the Budget savings are being reinvested back into community pharmacy. We welcomed the significant financial boost for community pharmacies, which took effect July 1st, and an additional $148.2 million is being provided to help regional, rural, and remote pharmacies adjust to 60-day scripts,” Dr Higgins stressed.

Jennifer Leslie Ware, member of the Liberal Party, said during House of Representatives proceedings yesterday, “Pharmacists have asked that the policy’s implementation be suspended to enable an evidence based independent review of the potential consequences of this policy. They’ve also asked that there be broad engagement with their sector.”

While a 7% rise in pharmacist dispensing fees took effect on 1 July, the new measures have been dismissed as inadequate by the Pharmacy Guild.

A survey conducted among GPs across the nation revealed that 85% of respondents agreed that their patients would benefit from the 60-day dispensing initiative. Driven by the desire to make a difference during the cost-of-living crisis, the RACGP is urging Australia’s political leaders to stand firmly in support of the reforms.

Michele Goldman, CEO of Asthma Australia, emphasised the significance of the reforms for people with chronic conditions, especially those suffering from asthma.

“People have told us they often skip doses to stretch out asthma medicine or share medicine around the family due to the high cost of preventer medicines. The double dispensing savings for people with stable asthma will greatly reduce financial pressure on families and the risk of them rationing the medicine they need to breathe. We call on the Greens and Opposition to put these people first,” she urged.

Vicki Durston, Director of Policy, Advocacy & Support Services at Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA), also expressed support for the reforms, highlighting their importance for those living with chronic diseases like cancer. As the cost of living crisis affects vulnerable populations, BCNA urges the Opposition and The Greens to “put consumers first and support this policy.”

Professor Steve Robson, President of the Australian Medical Association (AMA), echoed the sentiment, stating that blocking the measure would only succumb to an orchestrated scare campaign, leading to unnecessary financial strain for patients and potentially restricting their access to healthcare.

With the fate of these healthcare reforms hanging in the balance, it remains to be seen whether political leaders will heed the calls of consumer and doctor groups, putting the interests of millions of Australians first and supporting the much-needed 60-day dispensing reforms.

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