Pharmacy Daily | PM gives shout-out to all pharmacists

GLEN Clark, co-owner of T C Pharmacy Mackay, welcomed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to his recently renovated community pharmacy last week.

Commenting on the Australian Government's historic change to the PBS general co-payment policy, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with a local patient.

Before heading off PM Albanese said, "can I give a shout-out to all of the pharmacists around Australia?

"A pharmacist is more than just another shop [owner]; they are someone that people can rely upon to give that basic assistance and advice.

"During the pandemic, we saw pharmacists vaccinate so many tens of thousands of Australians and make a difference."

Clark said the reduction in the co-payment from $42.50, down to the $30 mark, means a patient can receive a saving of $150 per script within the first 12 months.

"That's a massive saving for non-concessional patients, and it will make a big difference for those people that are struggling with the rising cost of living.

"No patient should ever have to choose between medication and food on the table," said Clark.

When asked whether the change in policy is going to help bring more pharmacists into regional Queensland, Clark spoke about the North Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot for community pharmacists.

"There's a lot of healthcare reform that is being introduced within Queensland that may bring more pharmacists to the region such as the full scope of practice pilot."

The North Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot (Full Scope), which will be available to patients in 2024, should allow patients the option to seek treatment in their community pharmacy for common everyday conditions and gain access to treatments prescribed by their community pharmacist, as well as reduce the risk of and assist patients to manage some chronic diseases.