SIGMA Pharmaceuticals says it is very disappointed with the "unprofessional and inappropriate action" taken by union group Professional Pharmacists Australia (PPA), which last weekend targeted several Amcal pharmacies in a protest over cuts to penalty rates.
The action aimed to raise awareness of how cuts to rates will impact employee pharmacists, with Sigma accusing PPA of distribution of false and misleading material - as well as targeting some pharmacies that already pay above award rates.
"We are currently investigating all appropriate courses of action, including legal avenues, on behalf of Sigma and our members," said the company's corporate affairs manager, Gary Woodford.
"The campaign by the PPA was not based on facts, and was intimidating for customers and the very people they purport to represent," he said.
PPA is currently calling on the public to pledge not to shop at Amcal pharmacies "until they rule out cutting penalty rates for all pharmacy employees" - see professionalpharmacists.com.au.
Some pharmacy groups including Chemist Warehouse/My Chemist have agreed not to cut penalty rates for existing staff.
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