General News
25 May, 2023
“We worry for our local pharmacies”
OWNERS of Camperdown’s two pharmacies Sarah Baker and Sarah Venn are asking residents to sign the Pharmacy Guild’s petition.
OWNERS of Camperdown’s two pharmacies Sarah Baker and Sarah Venn are asking residents to sign the Pharmacy Guild’s petition.
The petition follows the Federal Government’s announcement of 60-day dispensing of around 300 medications, which starts in September with 100 from the list to be available.
Ms Baker said weekly meetings with the Guild are still happening, with the Guild in negotiations with the Federal Government to prolong the timeline.
“Working within the pharmacy, we’re finding that our patients are really receptive to signing our petition or to hearing our views on the subject,” she said.
“Especially our Medicare Safety Net customers; they will be no better or no worse off with this scheme, so they’re definitely more than happy to sign our petition and to say they support us.
“Years and years ago, the Pharmacy Guild did a petition and they got a million signatures. Obviously, that’s what they’re aiming for, but I’m not sure whether we’ll get there.”
As of Tuesday this week, the online signature tally sits at 74,753.
Ms Baker said the Pharmacy Guild is hoping for tens of thousands of signatures.
“We hope this 60-day dispensing doesn’t go through the way it is set out right now because we worry for the viability of the services we provide, and for our local pharmacies,” she said.
“Some won’t make it through this reform.”
A link to the petition can be found on Camperdown Pharmacy’s Facebook page