Pharmacy Guild secret deal criticised by the AMA and The Greens

THE Pharmacy Guild is trying to strongarm the major parties to prop up chemist profits at the expense of consumers by pushing for a secret deal before polling day. 

 
The leaders of the major parties have been given a letter, drafted for them by the Guild, that would commit them to preserving a pharmacy monopoly.

It comes as price disclosure has revealed chemists have been paid 80 per cent more than the market price for generic medicines, costing the taxpayer and consumers billions of dollars a year.

Consumer groups are warning the major parties not to sign the Guild's letter while an audit is underway into pharmacy remuneration.

"It's just plain irresponsible for the major parties to sign up to a betrayal of voters on the eve of the election," AMA president Steve Hambelton (pictured) said.

Chemists profiting from PBS

Chemists seeking greater profits

Price cut on popular pharmacy drugs

The Guild confirmed the existence of the letters and said the major parties have both signed similar letters in the last four election campaigns.

A letter, drafted by the Guild, awaiting Kevin Rudd's signature has been obtained by News Corporation.

It would commit Mr Rudd to ensure that only a pharmacists could own a pharmacy.

It would prevent supermarkets opening pharmacies even if they were owned by a chemist and preserve existing anti-competitive rules that prevent a new chemist opening within 1.5 kilometres of an existing chemist.

The Audit office is currently investigating whether the current $15.4 billion five year agreement that sets out the fees the government pays for pharmacy services is value for money.

Before the audit reports the Guild wants the major parties to sign up to another five year agreement from 2015.

A spokesman for the Guild confirmed the existence of the letters and said leaders that did not sign them would be "disadvantaged" but denied it was an attempt to blackmail the major parties.

Opposition health spokesman Peter Dutton there had been no secret deal done with the Coalition.

"It's been the practice in the past that both parties have issued letters of support," he said.

"We want to provide certainty for the supply of medicine and if there is any policy change we will make it publicly known," he said.

News Corporation has learned relations between the Rudd Government and the Pharmacy Guild have become strained after the Guild began a political campaign in pharmacy shopfronts against government plans to speed up price cuts for consumers on generic medicines.

"We find it very difficult to see how the Pharmacy Guild can claim to support price disclosure while at the same time it is running a campaign for $150 million in compensation from the government," a source said.

"They should not underestimate the weight of public opinion on cheaper medicines."

Greens health spokesman Senator Richard Di Natale said the Greens had also been sent a letter to sign by the Guild which he is refusing to sign.

"We're not going to sign or make any commitment until the audit is done," he said.
"What is important to us is that consumers get good value for money," he said.

news.com.au 22 Aug 2013

Another win for BIG BUSINESS.

Looks like the 'consumer watch dog' needs to grow some balls, but that is NOT what it's there for.

The Papier Mâché watch dog is only there for its bad looks.

Australia's laws are based purely for the benefit of the corporatocracy

It's time to drug up the Aussies into submissiveness, which has already started years ago with flouridation of water.