CHANNEL Nine is under fire from pharmacists after airing a news segment on Mon night highlighting discount prescriptions offered by Chemist Warehouse compared to other community pharmacies charging more than three times the price for the same product.
The piece featured former Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) boss, Graeme Samuel, who claimed the Pharmacy Location Rules were blocking the discounter's expansion.
"They basically inhibit or prohibit the location of two or more pharmacies [being] close to each other," he said.
Voicing his support for the removal of the location rules, Samuel added "the consumer is saying 'this is what we want'".
During the segment Chemist Warehouse pharmacist, Leah Barolotta, told viewers, "we're making health more accessible".
"We're making health more affordable," she said.
Pharmacy Guild of Australia Victorian Branch President, Anthony Tassone, refuted suggestions that the location rules were stifling competition.
"With the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), there's a direct subsidy of around 70% of prescriptions in Australia, meaning that the price is largely the same at whatever PBS-approved pharmacy you go to," he said.
Responding to the segment on Twitter, Guild NSW Branch Vice President, Caroline Diamantis, said the piece was "one-sided" and "completely overlooks the overall responsibility a community pharmacist take on when they take care of your health".
"It's a package of care, responsibilities and advice, which includes monitoring your illness and how you take medicines - another free ad," she said.
Another pharmacist stated the view that the segment was more advertorial than news.
"Really disappointed that you [Nine] have chosen to do a story on medications which is just an advertisement for Chemist Warehouse," they said.
"Why don't you look into the work that smaller community pharmacies are doing for their customers?"
"You already have the Wellness Show for Chemist Warehouse."
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