Guild fails pharmacy: AMA

DISCOUNT pharmacy groups threaten to undermine the Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s arguments against deregulation of the sector, an Australian Medical Association (AMA) representative claims.

In a blog post, AMA WA Councillor, Dr Michael Page, blasted the Guild for enabling the rise of “unprofessional-appearing” and “low-service” pharmacy models.

Page said the Guild had failed the profession “in its silence and inaction” in the face of the corporatisation of pharmacy ownership, which was highlighted in the WA Department of Health’s Review of Community Pharmacy Ownership in WA.

“The question becomes: does pharmacist-ownership guarantee the delivery of a high-quality service when a WA pharmacy is (strongly rumoured to be) controlled by a likely non-practising pharmacist in another State who controls dozens of other pharmacies?” he said.

“At least one pharmacy chain – Chemist Warehouse – has achieved such heft that, with its own interests not entirely aligned with those of the Guild, it argues for changes to the rules that restrict pharmacy locations.

“Such changes would represent an existential threat to many of the Guild’s members, who would face stiff competition from Chemist Warehouse outlets opening in their immediate vicinities, and would diminish the Guild’s standing.

“These trends in the pharmacy industry have been a slap in the face to many hard-working, professional employed pharmacists who increasingly face poor working conditions and uncertain futures, as well as those independent pharmacy owners attempting to deliver high-quality pharmaceutical services.

“They seriously throw into question the ability of the community pharmacy network as it stands to deliver expanded clinical services.”