PBS Changes Will Create A Perfect Storm For Country Pharmacies

Proposed changes to the PBS may not be all they’re cracked up to be, according to pharmacists, and the Australian Government has been urged to rethink its 60-day prescription policy.

Well-known Griffith pharmacist, Pat Zirilli said the proposed changes posed a number of problems.

“At the moment, we have a problem with supply,” Mr Zirilli said.

“In the big scheme of things, we are only a small marketer which makes us reliant on other countries for supply.”

This shortage of supply has seen customers go without vital medications for a time, and changing to a two-month supply allowance will only exacerbate the shortage problem.

Sometimes these supply shortages are due to a lack of raw materials to create the product.

Mr Zirilli said the two-month supply could result in aged and vulnerable customers taking the wrong medications or doubling up on medicines.

It could also result in hoarding and wastage.

“The Government is saying the aim is to lower the cost for customers,” Mr Zirilli said.

“There are other ways they could do that as well.”

Mr Zirilli suggested that one way to reduce costs for customers without disadvantaging pharmacies was to halve the out-of-pocket amount pensioners and health-care-card holders paid for their prescriptions.

Then there is the threshold - when people reach the threshold and then the government pays for the rest of their scripts for the year.

With the proposed change, they won’t reach that threshold or they might reach it at the very end of the year.

The real downside for pharmacies, particularly those in regional locations, is that they will experience a dramatic decrease in income, some as much as $150,000.

Young pharmacists or new pharmacies may end up closing because the income drop would mean they can’t afford to pay loans or keep up with their overheads.

“We’re not really sure what will happen until the budget is released,” Mr Zirilli said.

“The Government has said the changes would be phased in, with phase one on September 1, phase 2 on March 1, 2024, and phase 3 on September 1, 2024.”

Mr Zirilli said the main income for pharmacists comes from dispensing medications, so the proposed changes could almost halve their income.

Pharmacies will need to look at other avenues to create an income stream.

They may need to charge for services they currently offer free of charge, including preparing Webster packs and home deliveries.

They may also have to lay off staff or close their doors permanently.

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• Health & Wellbeing