THE Pharmacy Guild of Australia's Vic branch has expressed major concerns about the proposal to reverse list Chemist Warehouse Group (CWG) on the ASX via Sigma Healthcare (PD 07 Dec).
Branch President Anthony Tassone (pictured) said it is incumbent on the Vic govt, led by Premier Jacinta Allan, and the Victorian Pharmacy Authority (VPA) to ensure the interests of patients are not compromised, and the deal is compliant with existing pharmacy business ownership rules.
"We expect the VPA to run a fine-tooth comb over each detail of this proposal, and to protect the ownership regulations that preserve patients' health ahead of profits," Tassone asserted.
The Vic govt have long been supportive of profession-only ownership of pharmacies in the interests of patients, and "we expect them to ensure the intent of these laws are upheld," he added.
The Guild stated franchising can, and does, support many community pharmacies to provide healthcare to patients, but laws across Australia prevent non-pharmacists from holding a 'financial', 'ownership', or 'proprietary' interest in a pharmacy.
"Those rules guarantee that community pharmacies remain an essential layer of the health system.
"Community pharmacies provide accessible healthcare at a time when other healthcare providers are falling apart," Tassone said, adding, the VPA must be wary of increased corporatisation in the community pharmacy sector.
"It is not in the interest of patients, or their communities, to have community pharmacies that put shareholders first.
"The language of those pushing this proposal is about a 'unique opportunity for healthcare businesses'," he explained.
"Medicines are not ordinary items of commerce, and community pharmacy's primary responsibility must remain to patients, not shareholders," urged Tassone. JG
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