THE Government isn't commenting on a newly revealed letter to the Guild opposing moving to 60-day dispensing without consultation, written in 2019 when Labor was in opposition.
Guild Vic President, Anthony Tassone, highlighted the letter from then Labor leader Bill Shorten and Shadow Minister for Health, Catherine King, who criticised the Coalition Government for moves towards implementation of 60-day dispensing without consultation.
"Regardless of the competing views on this proposal, seeking to implement it during the term of the 6th Community Pharmacy Agreement without discussion with the Guild is demonstrably against the letter and spirit of that Agreement," Shorten and King said.
Ironically, the pair also said Labor had been "surprised and disappointed" at the lack of consultation, adding "this has not been Labor's approach to policy development or the way we have developed relationships with valued stakeholders like the Guild.
"We can assure you that this collaborative approach, focused on consensus, would be the same one applied by a Labor Government."
Fast-forwarding to 2023, Tassone noted that the lack of consultation is exactly what has happened, and that while neither is the responsible minister, Shorten and King are in the current Federal Cabinet.
"What's changed? Doesn't Labor want to honour agreements when in Government?" Tassone asks, noting there was still the opportunity to make 60-day dispensing part of an agreement to deliver cheaper medicines while not leaving patients or pharmacies worse off.
Tassone noted that a report in yesterday's The Australian claiming Labor MPs are being gagged over 60-day dispensing, with some MPs believed to have held meetings with Health Minister Mark Butler to discuss impacts on local pharmacies.
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