BROTHELS, casinos and general practices are all eligible to access the Victorian Business Support Fund, while many struggling pharmacies will be unable to gain support through the latest round of State Government aid.
Pharmacy Guild of Australia Victorian Branch President, Anthony Tassone, described the exclusion of the pharmacy sector from the list of businesses that can access the $822 million fund as "another backhander" from the Andrews Government.
Through the fund businesses that "must stay closed or operate under restrictions until COVID Normal" will be eligible to access grants of $10,000 to $20,000, based on their annual payroll.
"The Guild is angered by the exclusion of community pharmacies from the eligible business list from the third round of business support funding during the COVID-19 pandemic from the Victorian Government," he said.
"In initial discussions with Business Victoria, they have expressed that the latest funding round was being targeted towards businesses that were forced to close as a result of the COVID restrictions.
"However, they could offer no explanation as to why other healthcare providers, including general practice who were able to operate through the pandemic were eligible to apply for the funding.
"This is yet another backhander to the community pharmacy sector from the Victorian Government during this COVID pandemic following advocacy to even have our staff recognised as essential health workers for prioritisation of results from COVID testing.
"The realisation that community pharmacies are not included as an eligible business to apply for the funding has been devastating for a number of our members who are struggling greatly with the Stage 4 lockdown currently in place in metropolitan Melbourne, some in genuine distress who contacted the Guild earlier this week."
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 23 Sep 20
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 23 Sep 20
