The Pharmacy Guild has received very strong support from the Coalition, with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull backing the profession and clearly stating that 'Government' will determine the fate of any recommendations from the current review of remuneration and regulation.
Mr Turnbull's letter is longer and more detailed than the Coalition's letter from the 2013 campaign (view letter). It also follows a very strong expression of support from Nationals leader and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce.
Pre-election letters have been a key feature of the Guild's advocacy since the 1990s. The letters have consistently delivered bipartisan political support for the maintenance of pharmacy ownership and medicine distribution arrangements.
The Guild said it anticipate receiving a letter from Labor during the campaign.
The Guild fought off a push for reform from the National Commission of Audit and the Harper Competition Review to secure the Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement (6CPA) last year. Mr Turnbull's positive letter delivers a very timely boost as the Guild manages the ongoing review of pharmacy remuneration and regulation led by Professor Stephen King.
"The Coalition is proud Australia's community pharmacy sector is considered world-leading. It is a truly public-private partnership that is underwritten by the capital investments made by small business pharmacy owners around Australia and the commitment and hard work of their staff," says Mr Turnbull.
"The Coalition continues to support the model of pharmacies being owned by pharmacists to ensure community pharmacy remains on the needs of patients. The established community pharmacy model continues to serve Australians well."
In relation to the review, Mr Turnbull sends a very clear message that a re-elected Coalition will not be bound by any recommendations.
"The independent Review will make its recommendations, but any policy changes are always a matter for Government." he says.
More broadly, Mr Turnbull discusses the review as an opportunity to broaden the role of pharmacy in the health system, rather than focus on its wider remit to also consider location rules and remuneration. The letter does not make any new specific commitment on location rules. However, existing location rules were extended to 2020 in the 6CPA, and there will be at least one more election before it expires.
Mr Turnbull welcomes the role of the "broader medicines sector" in supporting PBS reforms and thanks pharmacy for their role in ensuring the successful introduction of the recently reimbursed direct acting antivirals to treat hepatitis C. The listing of these therapies has generated concern across community pharmacy given their high cost and impact on balance sheets.
"The Coalition appreciates the commitment you have shown to helping patients access these life-changing treatments and we will continue to work with community pharmacists to create a sustainable regulatory framework which supports the dispensing of these and other high-cost medicines under the PBS."
