Coulton voices concern with dispensing changes

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has voiced concern with changes announced for the dispensing of medication.

The federal government last week gave the go-ahead for 60-day dispensing, starting later this year.

The change will mean people can obtain two months’ supply of certain medications, rather than the current 28 days’ supply.

Mr Coulton’s concerns follow comments made by Narrabri pharmacist and business owner Catherine McDonald in last Thursday’s Courier.

Ms McDonald has said the changes are bad for both her business as well as her customers.

Mr Coulton voiced concern with the impact on regional pharmacies.

“It’s very much a city centric view,” he told The Courier.

While Mr Coulton said he will do what he can in relation to the issue, he feared the changes would likely succeed if supported by the teal independents as well as the Labor government.

“Once again, it shows how the government can’t understand issues with rural Australia.”

Mr Coulton also voiced concern that the changes could pave the way for the deregulation of medication, enabling supermarket chains to have a pharmacy section.

“It would be devastating for country communities,” he said.

Mr Coulton praised local pharmacists for their role in assisting customers with their healthcare needs as well as the relationships that exist between customers and their pharmacists.

Karen Carter, a pharmacist and business operator in Narrabri and Gunnedah, has voiced similar worries about the changes.

“This sounds like a win-win for patients, however, we have a lot of concerns in regards to this,” she said.

Mrs Carter said pharmacies were facing difficulties obtaining stock.

She made mention of diabetic medication which had been particularly challenging to source in the last 12 months as well as shortages of other medications.

“At the moment we can’t always supply the one month’s supply,” she said.

“This is going to be a lot of strain on our supply program.

“We do our best to get medications to you.”

Mrs Carter also flagged a flow on impact to other pharmacy services as a result of the changes.

She is worried the changes and the negative impact on pharmacies could result in cutbacks to essential pharmacy services including COVID and flu vaccines, blood pressure checks and webster packs.