PHARMACY Guild of Australia National President George Tambassis is warning politicians not to meddle with the finely tuned Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) system "in a way that could bring it crashing down".
Tambassis was responding to an article in the Medical Journal of Australia by Gold Coast GP Dr Evan Ackermann under the headline "Exorbitant costs of routine medication repeats" (PD 22 Jan).
Eckermann called for longer term supply packs to reduce patient costs in repeat dispensing fees.
He recommended three to six months supply of drugs for people with selected chronic conditions.
"What could possibly go wrong?" Tambassis challenged.
"Lots" was his answer to his own rhetorical question, saying this was an idea that the Guild had "fiercely" resisted on behalf of patients, staff and the health system.
The loss of repeat dispensing fees would be "disastrous" for the pharmacy business bottom line, causing many to close their doors.
"But that's not the sole reason we strenuously oppose such a change."
Medication management includes the vexed problem of medicines adherence - "the extent to which patients take their medicines on time, in full, and as directed by their prescriber doctor and overseen by their pharmacist.
"Poor adherence may compromise the effectiveness of treatment, as well as the individual and public health costs in the longer term," Tambassis warned.
Referencing a recent OECD working paper, he explained that around 50% of patients have poor adherence habits which leads to bad health outcomes and increased use of health services.
Face-to-face interactions with health care professionals were identified in the report as the best way to improve adherence.
The Pharmacy Board of Australia holds the position that dispensing multiple quantities of medicines "may not be consistent with the safety of the patient".
Tambassis concluded by urging politicians to "nurture, not destroy, the sustainability of the world-envied PBS and the network of community pharmacists".
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