“Devastated, crying, shocked.” That was how Werribee pharmacist, Minha Nguyen, reacted to the federal government doubling the amount of medicine patients could receive per script.
“On the 21st [of April] we got the pharmacy guild webinar and that’s where we were informed,” said Dr Nguyen of how she found out, on what was also her birthday.
Doubling the script dispensing period from 30 to 60 days has been lauded by doctors and consumers who argue it will save patients money.
But pharmacists such as Dr Nguyen, who has owned her pharmacy in Werribee’s Station Place since 2001, said it would ruin her.
“Instead of $10 per script it’s now $10 per two scripts, but everything else, staff, rent, is all the same,” she said.
“If I lose 40-50 per cent of my income with the same amount of work, I will give up my career.“
Her concerns extended to patient safety as well.
“We deal with a lot of mental health patients and we often see them end up in hospital because of overdose” said Dr Ha, warning that dispensing more medicine could lead to more deaths, both accidental and deliberate.
“If people want to commit suicide they find a way to accumulate medication.”
In a statement, Lalor MP Joanne Ryan said patients would still need the approval of their doctor to get more medication.
The decision to write a script for a two-month supply will be made by the patient’s doctor, based on their professional clinical judgement.
“It’s good for locals’ hip pockets, and most importantly good for their health” she added.
Owner of Werribee Discount Chemist, Hien Phan, criticised Ms Ryan for not being available to discuss the issue.
“She’s not listening to our concerns” said Dr Phan, who argued the changes would exacerbate existing drug shortages and force more people into the health system.
“It will cut staff, cut hours and cut the services that we offer, like health advice, free screening, free blood pressure and diabetes checks, free delivery services,“
Dr Phan said the government could cut co-payments to save patients money, while Ha pointed out many patients already got free medication after reaching the 40 script threshold.
Dr Phan denied pharmacists were being greedy.
“We want patients to save money and have cheaper medication.“
