Doctors hit out over greater care role for pharmacists under new $19b deal
Pharmacists could receive public funding to dress wounds, deliver vaccinations and give weight loss advice under a $19 billion deal between the Abbott government and the powerful Pharmacy Guild.
Under the five-year agreement, announced by Health Minister Sussan Ley on Monday, patients could pay $1 less per script from July under a change the government hopes will promote greater competition among pharmacists.
It will be up to pharmacists to decide whether to offer the $1 discount, and pharmacists that do offer the discount would have to absorb its cost.
The government expects the optional discount, which is opposed by the Pharmacy Guild, to save taxpayers about $360 million over the life of the agreement, due to fewer patients qualifying for free medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme safety net. Sydney Morning Herald – Read more…
Under the five-year agreement, announced by Health Minister Sussan Ley on Monday, patients could pay $1 less per script from July under a change the government hopes will promote greater competition among pharmacists.
It will be up to pharmacists to decide whether to offer the $1 discount, and pharmacists that do offer the discount would have to absorb its cost.
The government expects the optional discount, which is opposed by the Pharmacy Guild, to save taxpayers about $360 million over the life of the agreement, due to fewer patients qualifying for free medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme safety net. Sydney Morning Herald – Read more…
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