60-day prescriptions causing chaos? Rural residents face shortage in vital medicines
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In a world where we're often overwhelmed by a plethora of information (and sometimes misinformation), it's important for us here at the Seniors Discount Club to keep you up-to-date on any news that might directly affect you, our lovely readers.
One issue that has recently caught our attention is the potential fallout from the Australian government's decision to extend some medicine prescriptions from 30 up to 60 days.
You must be wondering, what's the problem with longer prescriptions? Well, it seems that extending the prescription length may have some unintended consequences, particularly for our rural residents who are already struggling to access essential medications.
Rural pharmacist Leigh Houldsworth explains that the global medicine shortage, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has forced her to often turn away 20 customers before 10am because their prescribed medications were simply not available.
‘Sometimes a doctor can change it to something else but often they have to see a patient again to completely change the therapy,’ Ms Houldsworth explained.
‘It means we are ringing the GPs and hospital doctors all day because we don't have the medicine they are prescribing. It makes servicing the health needs of a community of nearly 20,000 in the rural city of Mount Isa difficult.’
As you can imagine, when the federal government announced in April that consumers would be able to purchase a 60-day supply of 320 medications on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from September 1, rather than the current 30-day supply, Ms Houldsworth panicked.
Janet, a 75-year-old resident from the remote Queensland town, shared her concerns: ‘With my heart condition, I rely on my medication every single day. The thought of not being able to access it is terrifying.’
With the decision to extend prescriptions to 60 days, Ms Houldsworth voices her concerns about the future supply chain, questioning how they'll manage to provide double the dosage come September, especially for rural communities like Mount Isa, where medication supplies are already limited.
A new report by economist Professor Henry Ergas and Griffith University, commissioned by The Pharmacy Guild, supports Ms Houldsworth's concerns. The report reveals that 665 pharmacies could close and another 900 might be at risk, along with the loss of 20,000 jobs, due to the 60-day prescription scheme.
The loss of these pharmacies and jobs would have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable rural communities, further widening the health gap in remote areas of Australia and affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in particular.
Despite these concerns, some experts, such as health economist Stephen Duckett, dismiss the idea that the change will result in shortages. He argues that the number of drugs dispensed won't change, just how often they are dispensed. However, Houldsworth insists that the situation is different for rural pharmacists, whose supply chains are already stretched thin.
It's worth noting that the government's decision to extend prescription lengths was made with the intention of providing greater convenience and cost-savings to consumers. By reducing the number of visits to the pharmacy and potentially lowering out-of-pocket expenses, the 60-day prescription scheme was designed to make life a little easier for all Australians.
So, how can rural residents deal with this impending issue? Ms Houldsworth and The Pharmacy Guild have called for greater consultation with the government on this matter, stating that they have a long history of working together on policy changes which hasn't happened in this situation.
In the meantime, rural residents can take certain steps to cope with potential medication shortages. Here are a few practical tips:
1. Contact your healthcare provider ahead of time and discuss your concerns about medication availability. They may be able to provide a plan or alternative solutions specific to your situation.
2. Establish a good line of communication with your local pharmacist, who can keep you informed about potential shortages and work with you to secure your required medications.
3. Explore alternative ways to access your medications, such as online pharmacies or delivery services, and be proactive in staying informed about any supply chain issues.
As a community for seniors, we know just how important it is to have the right medications at the right time, especially for those with chronic health conditions. That's why it's crucial to voice our concerns over potential changes and policy shifts in the health sector. So, tell us in the comments below what you think of this policy change? Do you think it will help or hinder your access to medication?
One issue that has recently caught our attention is the potential fallout from the Australian government's decision to extend some medicine prescriptions from 30 up to 60 days.
You must be wondering, what's the problem with longer prescriptions? Well, it seems that extending the prescription length may have some unintended consequences, particularly for our rural residents who are already struggling to access essential medications.
What does the prescription policy change mean for you? Image source: Unsplash.
Rural pharmacist Leigh Houldsworth explains that the global medicine shortage, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has forced her to often turn away 20 customers before 10am because their prescribed medications were simply not available.
‘Sometimes a doctor can change it to something else but often they have to see a patient again to completely change the therapy,’ Ms Houldsworth explained.
‘It means we are ringing the GPs and hospital doctors all day because we don't have the medicine they are prescribing. It makes servicing the health needs of a community of nearly 20,000 in the rural city of Mount Isa difficult.’
As you can imagine, when the federal government announced in April that consumers would be able to purchase a 60-day supply of 320 medications on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from September 1, rather than the current 30-day supply, Ms Houldsworth panicked.
Janet, a 75-year-old resident from the remote Queensland town, shared her concerns: ‘With my heart condition, I rely on my medication every single day. The thought of not being able to access it is terrifying.’
With the decision to extend prescriptions to 60 days, Ms Houldsworth voices her concerns about the future supply chain, questioning how they'll manage to provide double the dosage come September, especially for rural communities like Mount Isa, where medication supplies are already limited.
A new report by economist Professor Henry Ergas and Griffith University, commissioned by The Pharmacy Guild, supports Ms Houldsworth's concerns. The report reveals that 665 pharmacies could close and another 900 might be at risk, along with the loss of 20,000 jobs, due to the 60-day prescription scheme.
The loss of these pharmacies and jobs would have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable rural communities, further widening the health gap in remote areas of Australia and affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in particular.
Despite these concerns, some experts, such as health economist Stephen Duckett, dismiss the idea that the change will result in shortages. He argues that the number of drugs dispensed won't change, just how often they are dispensed. However, Houldsworth insists that the situation is different for rural pharmacists, whose supply chains are already stretched thin.
It's worth noting that the government's decision to extend prescription lengths was made with the intention of providing greater convenience and cost-savings to consumers. By reducing the number of visits to the pharmacy and potentially lowering out-of-pocket expenses, the 60-day prescription scheme was designed to make life a little easier for all Australians.
So, how can rural residents deal with this impending issue? Ms Houldsworth and The Pharmacy Guild have called for greater consultation with the government on this matter, stating that they have a long history of working together on policy changes which hasn't happened in this situation.
In the meantime, rural residents can take certain steps to cope with potential medication shortages. Here are a few practical tips:
1. Contact your healthcare provider ahead of time and discuss your concerns about medication availability. They may be able to provide a plan or alternative solutions specific to your situation.
2. Establish a good line of communication with your local pharmacist, who can keep you informed about potential shortages and work with you to secure your required medications.
3. Explore alternative ways to access your medications, such as online pharmacies or delivery services, and be proactive in staying informed about any supply chain issues.
As a community for seniors, we know just how important it is to have the right medications at the right time, especially for those with chronic health conditions. That's why it's crucial to voice our concerns over potential changes and policy shifts in the health sector. So, tell us in the comments below what you think of this policy change? Do you think it will help or hinder your access to medication?
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