Reputation depends on ethical pricing

COMMUNITY pharmacy’s reputation depends on pharmacists acting fairly and ethically amid accusations that some groups have increased the prices of face masks in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President, George Tambassis, described a report by Channel Nine’s A Current

Affair claiming pharmacies had dramatically increased their prices for P2 face masks and hand sanitisers, as “unfair”.

“I have seen direct evidence of unconscionable increases in wholesale mask prices from some non-pharmacy suppliers, making it quite unfair to point the finger at pharmacies.

“However, it also needs to be said that pharmacies are under the public and media spotlight at the moment so we all need to be ensuring we act in the best interests of our patients, including through a fair and ethical approach to pricing such products.

“Our reputation depends on it.”

Tambassis urged pharmacists to follow the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy’s recommendations that “the only people who should wear masks in relation to this virus are those who are unwell”.

He added manufacturers of hand sanitiser, including Ego, have increased production in recent days to meet demand for the product.

During the A Current Affair report, pharmacists from TerryWhite Chemmart stores in Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide were accused of profiteering by dramatically increasing the prices of their P2 face masks, with one store allegedly charging customers up to $700 for a box of 10 masks.

A joint statement Symbion and TerryWhite Chemmart said an internal investigation has been launched into the allegations.

In the statement Symbion also refuted suggestions that wholesalers were fuelling the price increases.