PHARMACEUTICAL wholesalers are being accused using access to Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines to drive pharmacy owners to join banner groups.
In a statement released this morning the Small Pharmacies Group (SPG) said the COVID-19 crisis had "exposed underlying systemic problems with the Community Service Obligation (CSO) and wholesaler distribution system" and "sparked serious questions about the role of banner groups in securing essential PBS medicines".
"Banner groups and wholesalers are essentially one and the same thing - let's not obfuscate about it -- and even so-called 'independent' banners are bound to particular wholesalers through rebates, etc," an SPG spokesperson said.
"The CSO system has morphed away from funding for accredited entities to provide PBS medicines equitably and in a timely manner to Australians who need them through their pharmacy of choice to some play thing of the wholesalers to provide increased incentives and inducements to trade with them.
"This is a straightforward case of the system being gamed.
"While not necessarily surprising, these plain facts serve to highlight the systemic failure that is the CSO-funded wholesale system.
"Pharmacies should not be driven to banner membership out of fear of being unable to secure stock.
"Instead, public health authorities need to stand up and ensure that the PBS really provides equity of access as demanded by its very purpose.
"It's not about the product, medicines aren't normal commodities, and should not be leveraged for commercial advantage within the PBS supply chain.
"It's about whether pharmacies and their patients are treated equitably.
"It's about all patients being equally deserving members of Australian society and being able to choose the pharmacy they want without being disadvantaged.
"This is about Australians being short-changed by a system that needs urgent and robust review."
The SPG questioned whether banner membership was the only way to secure support from CSO wholesalers to get PBS medicines.
"If so, it demonstrates that PBS equity of access is a fiction," the spokesperson said.
Pharmacy Daily has contacted the National Pharmaceutical Services Association for a response.
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