It’s history going back to the late 40’s when the PBS was created. Pharmacy was given the right to store and dispense PBS drugs. All pharmacies were then owned by the pharmacist. The Guild was the owners rep who negotiated with Govt over the reimbursement rates. Now we have 5yr agreements.
In the 80s war broke out between govt and guild. The owners went on strike. Peace came and the Act was changed to allow 5 yr agreements between guild (only) and govt. these days we have the corporatisation of pharmacy, fewer owners and many more employee pharmacists. /3
So many here and other places saying that the major parties are the same they are not the same. If they are both the same, why would a powerful lobby group like the Pharmacy Guild and the media be trying to smash the Labor Government? Because the Govt is trying to protect ordinary Australians.
This is an example where the major parties differ on a matter of policy. I don’t think it has much to do with broader criticisms of a government almost at the end of its first term that has been underwhelming at best.
There are so many differences Rick. What is the broader criticism? What about the LNP voting against every proposed cost of living measure, opposing lower end tax cuts, opposing govt efforts to raise wages, the LNP opposing renewables. The Robodebt RC was created by Labor. So many differences.
People are allowed to expect better of their government. You are too! Better policies. Not doing something 'different' to the LNP, but better policies in their own right.
The issues I raise are not just differences. They are examples of better policies. Policies on cost of living. Wages policy. Industrial relations. The environment. Tax policy. These are differences because of Government Policy. Some criticism is always warranted but not broad criticism.
Excellent point, @jimmythejet.
If the two major parties are the same, why are cashed-up lobby groups & individuals working so hard to get rid of Labor & return the LNP? They are not the same.
Labor is timid & disappointing but nowhere near the vicious venality of the LNP & fellow travellers.
I know we all love to hate the pharmacy guild but I dived deep into this at the time and I’d like to suggest
- all the info in this article seems to come straight from Butler’s office
- it oversimplifies the facts to make the govt look good
- things are worse, just not in the way the PGA said
yeah straight fuck those business council of pharmacy arseholes fr. But it’s hard to see people celebrating only 22 pharmacies closing and not asking if that’s higher than normal, if there’s people in a rural town who now don’t have a pharmacy
Ha, nah, I get it. I remember talking to a few people who worked for genuine community pharmacies who were worried about the impact. I'd be interested to follow up with them in the new year.
yeah and it’s hard to measure in community pharmacy if they just can’t afford to spend as much time on things like counselling patients about their healthcare. Unless the business goes under. Even then, if they get swallowed up by Chemist Warehouse does that count as a closure? Probably not
Thank you for this current data. Lobby groups’ threats need to be fact checked. What a selfish campaign it was, to make patients continue to pay more unnecessarily. 🤨
Agreed. In my opinion most of the systems and functions performed by pharmacists are archaic. Safety and side effects should and can be provided by doctor and automated systems. Most drugs may as well be dispensed by retail staff. The excess pharmacists could be retrained as wellness consultants.
Seems like a funding boost to an ongoing program, I’m less familiar with these policy arrangements but I think this is the reimbursement for subsidised drugs.
Community pharmacies receive a payment for each PBS prescription they dispense. The amount was raised in the last budget - probably to offset the 60 day thing - so that might be what it is (in other words they never had a leg to stand on re losing money over that - it was all an LNP-driven PR stunt)
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Do we have a choice ?
It would be nice if we could buy over the interwebs from OS.
If the two major parties are the same, why are cashed-up lobby groups & individuals working so hard to get rid of Labor & return the LNP? They are not the same.
Labor is timid & disappointing but nowhere near the vicious venality of the LNP & fellow travellers.
A bunch of whining grifters.
- all the info in this article seems to come straight from Butler’s office
- it oversimplifies the facts to make the govt look good
- things are worse, just not in the way the PGA said
#BoycottChemistWarehouse
Until the end of the ad I literally thought it was an anti-Labor ad.
If a guy in a white pinni bursts into tears, he’s a member. Most likely a country member*. 😉
*Thanks to PJK for that gem.
https://rickmorton.substack.com/
When Sir Winton Turnbull… was raving and ranting on the adjournment and shouted: “I am a Country member”. I interjected “I remember”. – Gough Whitlam.
A significant amount.