FEDERAL Assistant Treasurer, Michael Sukkar, has acknowledged the role community pharmacies have played during the COVID-19 crisis, in response to a petition calling for hazard pay for essential health workers, tabled in the House of Representatives yesterday.
The petition sought specific support for pharmacy workers in the form of a "tax holiday" and a "hazard allowance" noting "the Government has supported others [excluding us] since the very beginning of this pandemic".
Responding to the petition, Sukkar said the Government had "acted decisively to support households and businesses" during the pandemic, with a series of stimulus packages worth $259 billion.
"The package is designed to support businesses across all sectors to retain jobs and manage short-term cash flow challenges, provide support to individuals, severely affected communities and regions, and to ensure the continued flow of credit in the Australian economy," he said.
"Community pharmacies have played a central role in supporting their community during the recent bushfires and have kept their doors open to support patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"In Jun the Government finalised the Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement (7CPA), which is expected to provide $18.3 billion over five years and ensure Australians have access to more than 200 million subsidised prescriptions each year through their community pharmacy of choice.
"The 7CPA demonstrates the Government's ongoing support for patients and community pharmacy.
"It also acknowledges that Australia' community pharmacies will continue to be crucial to the Government's efforts to improve the health of all Australians."
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 25 Aug 20
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 25 Aug 20
