RECENT political announcements regarding 60-day dispensing have seen a lot of tit-for-tat bickering from the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and our political leaders in response to the Pharmacy Guild trying to stand up for the services pharmacists provide. As one of many dedicated community pharmacists, it leads us to the question of our social structure and how health outside the doctor's room is supported.
The community pharmacy sector provides free access to a health professional, reaching more Australians than any other health service. But how do we fund this industry? Do we wish to have a user-pays society, where those with less cannot afford health services offered through outlets such as community pharmacies, or do we see value in a model where we all give just a little so that the population as a whole can benefit from a service offered? If community pharmacies are forced to charge for much that they now give free in order to remain viable, will this not disproportionately affect those of our society who already have less and need our free help the most?
