Essential Medicine Shortages
We ardently believe that all individuals should have the right to access crucial medicines, rather than it being a luxury for the few.
Australia, akin to numerous other nations, is grappling with a shortage of medicinal supplies, and a shift in dispensing regulations may exacerbate the situation. The risk of essential medicines running dry at your local pharmacy is escalating.
A critical shortage list bears the names of 400 different drugs, and alarmingly, 20% of them are already anticipated to be unavailable due to the government's decision to raise dispensing limits.
The introduction of 60-day dispensing by the Federal Government, while seemingly beneficial at first glance, may actually result in worsening the medicine shortages. This regulation entails providing patients with double their normal medication dosage at once. Consequently, while some may end up with more than they require, others could be left wanting.
The promise made by the Federal Government to patients and community pharmacies is in jeopardy.
The government's proposed strategy implies a surge in medicine shortages at a time when we're already facing a medicines crisis, and this will resonate with all Australians. Moreover, the 60-day dispensing rule will not only aggravate the medicine shortages, but it could also slash $175,000 of funding from each community pharmacy. This could potentially lead to reduced operating hours and staff cuts.
Your support is crucial in ensuring that medications and pharmacies are accessible to patients when they are most needed.