THE Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) has published a scathing critique of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia as having a "favoured place in Australia", "shrouded in secrecy" and "delivering pharmacy owners political clout that reaches well beyond their customers".
"The pharmacies' status has helped ensure and protect substantial government payments to dispense the subsidised medicines available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme", the CHF said.
The nation's 5,500 pharmacies were protected by "local monopoly status", otherwise known as "location rules", and would receive more than $18.9b from the taxpayer over the five years of the current community pharmacy agreement (6CPA), CHF claimed.
The article cites the performance audit conducted three years ago by the Australian National Audit Office which, with some unsatisfactory outcomes, resulted in the wider government-initiated probe, namely the Review of Pharmacy Remuneration and Regulation chaired by economist Professor Stephen King (PD 22 Jun), but vehemently opposed by the Guild.
The CHF particularly blasted the Guild for recommending that pharmacy owners "be wary" about participating in the financial survey commissioned by the Review which said it was concerned that despite the sector receiving significant government funding there is a "general reluctance to provide...the information required to ensure accountability and transparency".
Also under fire was the Guild's opposition to location rule changes, with the CHF noting the interim report's wide-ranging recommendations on the issue including opening up the sector to in-supermarket pharmacies.
However due to the recent Compact agreed to by the Guild and health minister Greg Hunt these options will not proceed.
"Once again, the Guild's prescription has won the day," the CHF concluded.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 30 Jun 17
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