Pharmacy Daily | King Review ‘uncertainty’

THE upcoming Pharmacy Connect conference has confirmed a strong focus on issues raised in the King Review of Pharmacy Remuneration and Regulation, including two dedicated sessions to discuss the draft report of the Review Panel.

Conference convenor Kos Sclavos said Pharmacy Connect presented a timely opportunity to reflect upon the options presented in the Interim Report and for key industry representatives to respond.

"There is no doubt this Review has caused uncertainty in the sector," Sclavos said.

"Although some options presented seem innocuous in terms of impact on community pharmacy, it's vital that the industry representatives consider unintended consequences."

Chair of wholesaler peak body the National Pharmaceutical Services Association (NPSA) and ceo and md of Sigma Healthcare, Mark Hooper, along with ceo and md of Australian Pharmaceutical Industries, Richard Vincent, will present the wholesalers' perspective on Sat 02 Sep.

NPSA ceo Donna Staunton said that wholesalers were concerned about the options presented in the Report.

"The options presented in the Interim Report would inevitably lead to significant upheaval and uncertainty throughout the entire supply chain without materially enhancing outcomes for pharmacy, the community or Government.

"We went to a tremendous amount of effort to give the Panel the data it needed and we offered practical measures to ensure the long term sustainability of the supply chain.

"We are extremely disappointed that the Panel appears to have given greater weight to data that is, in our view, less rigorous.

"We look forward to sharing the official response from wholesalers at Pharmacy Connect," Staunton added.

In addition, Sclavos said Pharmacy Guild of Australia national president George Tambassis and ceo David Quilty would present the Guild's official response in a special session on Sun 03 Sep.

The conference takes place at the Hilton Sydney hotel 01-03 Sep - see pharmacyconnect.com.au.