CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
Australian pharmacists have suddenly gone quiet again, after momentarily forming the loudest and most militant trade union in our nation’s history, for a short-lived campaign against government cost-of-living measures.
This tumultuous news cycle began two weeks ago, when the Federal Government announced that GPs would be granted the option of writing double-length scripts for 325 medicines, such as statins and PPIs.
Health Minister Mark Butler explained that this was a decision aimed at easing financial pressures on families, by allowing millions of Australians to buy 60-days worth of medicine for the price of a single prescription.
However, this decision was met with extreme backlash from those who do the dispensing, with pharmacy lobby groups taking to the media to complain about the over-reaching possibility of medicine shortages, which seems to be their only real concern – and not their estimates that pharmacies will lose $2.3 billion by no longer being able to charge pointless fees to those suffering from chronic conditions.
However, after two weeks of high-ranking LNP members dressing up in pharmacists costumes and crying on camera, the entire industry has gone quiet again and resumed business after just one week.
This may or may not have something to do with the Federal Government’s announcement that they will be strictly policing the sale and import of vape products.
Health Minister Mark Butler has popped up again to explain that he will work with states and territories to close down the sale of vapes in retail settings, including convenience stores, while also making it easier to get a PRESCRIPTION for legitimate therapeutic use.
The government’s support for legimitising vape use through prescriptions comes as a relief for those addicted to the fucken things, a segment of the population that might even outweigh those suffering from chronic conditions.
But it’s also good news for the whigning pharmacist lobby, because the only place you can take these prescriptions, is your local pharmacist.
However, due to being listed as therapeutic, these highly addictive nicotine products are not eligible for 60-day prescriptions.
Speaking to the Betoota Advocate today, local pharmacist and outspoken LNP donator, John Lee says he’s already forgotten about last week’s drama.
“Nah” he says.
“We’re all good here”
“Haha. Things are fine”
