Members, listen up: the Director of Chemist Warehouse has urged caution following calls to double the number of medications that can be dispensed in a single prescription, saying it could lead to massive drug shortages in the country.

Mario Tascone, who serves as a Director at the renowned chemical and pharmaceutical chain, made his startling warning ahead of the May federal budget, in which doctors have proposed changes to the current prescription and dispensing rules.

Under the new system, drugs will be prescribed in doubled volumes, and a lower cap on the cost of medicine payments put in place in the hopes of relieving the pressure on GPs.

'We're all for doctors prescribing a 12-month supply of the medicine, as long as it's done month-by-month when it's dispensed because doing a double lot of dispensing each time will cause shortages, I have no doubt,' Tascone said in an interview with Today.

Doctor's groups have lobbied the government to change dispensing and prescribing rules ahead of the upcoming May federal budget meeting. Credit: Unsplash/James Yarema.

If Tascone's grim warning isn't enough to cause you to take notice, let us emphasise that the drugs that are expected to be in short supply are medications vital to day-to-day life – think antidepressants, cholesterol-lowering medications and so on.

'They're the type of medicines you never want to run out of in a pharmacy. People need them every day,' he explained.

The Chemist Warehouse boss said that while it would be possible to successfully increase drug volumes over time by 'two or three years', a sudden change in policy would spell disaster for pharmacists and the supply chain in general.

'Just one little bump like doubling the supply of medicine overnight will cause substantial damage to supply chains,' Tascone cautioned.

'You'd run out of medicines pretty quickly.'

Key Takeaways

• The boss of Chemist Warehouse, Mario Tascone, has warned against increasing the amount of medicine Australians can get with each script, as it could cause mass drug shortages.
• Doctors are pushing for the change to help relieve the pressure on general practitioners, but Tascone advises implementing the change over two or three years to avoid shortages.
• Shortages would include drugs like antidepressants and medication used for lowering cholesterol.
• The suggested changes also propose lower caps on medicine payments to make them more affordable.

General practitioners and community pharmacists are currently in conflict over how to save patients time and money when obtaining their medications, just ahead of the federal budget next month.

The main point of contention is the handling of prescriptions, with doctors advocating for patients to receive a 12-month supply of prescriptions at once instead of the current practice of six months. This would mean fewer visits to the doctor for prescription refills.

The argument from doctors is that this change would improve patients' access to general practitioners by reducing the burden on the system of having to go back to the doctor for repeat prescriptions for long-term conditions such as hypertension or high cholesterol.

The president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), Dr Nicole Higgins, supports this approach as a way to streamline the process and ensure patients receive uninterrupted medication supply for chronic conditions.

The change would include drugs like antidepressants and anti-cholesterol medication, possibly limiting their availability to people who need them. Credit: Unsplash/Mika Baumeister.

Doctors are also advocating for patients to be able to access double the amount of medications they currently can, from one month's supply to two months' supply at a time.

According to Dr Higgins, this would be more convenient for patients and also safer, as it would reduce the risk of running out of medications due to different pack sizes (e.g. 28-day or 30-day packs).

The suggested changes also propose lower caps on medicine payments, to make them more affordable. Credit: Unsplash/Roberto Sorin.

So, members, what can we take away from this? First, be careful not to assume that if you forget to buy your medications, you can just get some over-the-counter. Second, keep your medications well-stocked and renew your prescriptions at your earliest convenience.

Finally, there might be some changes on the horizon for the healthcare system, but rest assured that we will be sure to keep you members in the loop!

What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments!

 

[Penny4]

Chemist owner doing a 'cry me a river'. Get a grip! Pharmacists will just have to organise themselves better, inform the medication manufacturers to churn out more, then stock the shelves.
They have plenty of warning.

 

[Racko]

Members, listen up: the Director of Chemist Warehouse has urged caution following calls to double the number of medications that can be dispensed in a single prescription, saying it could lead to massive drug shortages in the country.

Mario Tascone, who serves as a Director at the renowned chemical and pharmaceutical chain, made his startling warning ahead of the May federal budget, in which doctors have proposed changes to the current prescription and dispensing rules.

Under the new system, drugs will be prescribed in doubled volumes, and a lower cap on the cost of medicine payments put in place in the hopes of relieving the pressure on GPs.

'We're all for doctors prescribing a 12-month supply of the medicine, as long as it's done month-by-month when it's dispensed because doing a double lot of dispensing each time will cause shortages, I have no doubt,' Tascone said in an interview with Today.

View attachment 17282

Doctor's groups have lobbied the government to change dispensing and prescribing rules ahead of the upcoming May federal budget meeting. Credit: Unsplash/James Yarema.

If Tascone's grim warning isn't enough to cause you to take notice, let us emphasise that the drugs that are expected to be in short supply are medications vital to day-to-day life – think antidepressants, cholesterol-lowering medications and so on.

'They're the type of medicines you never want to run out of in a pharmacy. People need them every day,' he explained.

The Chemist Warehouse boss said that while it would be possible to successfully increase drug volumes over time by 'two or three years', a sudden change in policy would spell disaster for pharmacists and the supply chain in general.

'Just one little bump like doubling the supply of medicine overnight will cause substantial damage to supply chains,' Tascone cautioned.

'You'd run out of medicines pretty quickly.'

Key Takeaways

• The boss of Chemist Warehouse, Mario Tascone, has warned against increasing the amount of medicine Australians can get with each script, as it could cause mass drug shortages.
• Doctors are pushing for the change to help relieve the pressure on general practitioners, but Tascone advises implementing the change over two or three years to avoid shortages.
• Shortages would include drugs like antidepressants and medication used for lowering cholesterol.
• The suggested changes also propose lower caps on medicine payments to make them more affordable.

General practitioners and community pharmacists are currently in conflict over how to save patients time and money when obtaining their medications, just ahead of the federal budget next month.

The main point of contention is the handling of prescriptions, with doctors advocating for patients to receive a 12-month supply of prescriptions at once instead of the current practice of six months. This would mean fewer visits to the doctor for prescription refills.

The argument from doctors is that this change would improve patients' access to general practitioners by reducing the burden on the system of having to go back to the doctor for repeat prescriptions for long-term conditions such as hypertension or high cholesterol.

The president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), Dr Nicole Higgins, supports this approach as a way to streamline the process and ensure patients receive uninterrupted medication supply for chronic conditions.

View attachment 17283

The change would include drugs like antidepressants and anti-cholesterol medication, possibly limiting their availability to people who need them. Credit: Unsplash/Mika Baumeister.

Doctors are also advocating for patients to be able to access double the amount of medications they currently can, from one month's supply to two months' supply at a time.

According to Dr Higgins, this would be more convenient for patients and also safer, as it would reduce the risk of running out of medications due to different pack sizes (e.g. 28-day or 30-day packs).

View attachment 17284

The suggested changes also propose lower caps on medicine payments, to make them more affordable. Credit: Unsplash/Roberto Sorin.

So, members, what can we take away from this? First, be careful not to assume that if you forget to buy your medications, you can just get some over-the-counter. Second, keep your medications well-stocked and renew your prescriptions at your earliest convenience.

Finally, there might be some changes on the horizon for the healthcare system, but rest assured that we will be sure to keep you members in the loop!

What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments!

You only still get 1 month supply at a time just more repeats on original script. No shortage should occur.

 

[KiwiTrish]

Members, listen up: the Director of Chemist Warehouse has urged caution following calls to double the number of medications that can be dispensed in a single prescription, saying it could lead to massive drug shortages in the country.

Mario Tascone, who serves as a Director at the renowned chemical and pharmaceutical chain, made his startling warning ahead of the May federal budget, in which doctors have proposed changes to the current prescription and dispensing rules.

Under the new system, drugs will be prescribed in doubled volumes, and a lower cap on the cost of medicine payments put in place in the hopes of relieving the pressure on GPs.

'We're all for doctors prescribing a 12-month supply of the medicine, as long as it's done month-by-month when it's dispensed because doing a double lot of dispensing each time will cause shortages, I have no doubt,' Tascone said in an interview with Today.

View attachment 17282

Doctor's groups have lobbied the government to change dispensing and prescribing rules ahead of the upcoming May federal budget meeting. Credit: Unsplash/James Yarema.

If Tascone's grim warning isn't enough to cause you to take notice, let us emphasise that the drugs that are expected to be in short supply are medications vital to day-to-day life – think antidepressants, cholesterol-lowering medications and so on.

'They're the type of medicines you never want to run out of in a pharmacy. People need them every day,' he explained.

The Chemist Warehouse boss said that while it would be possible to successfully increase drug volumes over time by 'two or three years', a sudden change in policy would spell disaster for pharmacists and the supply chain in general.

'Just one little bump like doubling the supply of medicine overnight will cause substantial damage to supply chains,' Tascone cautioned.

'You'd run out of medicines pretty quickly.'

Key Takeaways

• The boss of Chemist Warehouse, Mario Tascone, has warned against increasing the amount of medicine Australians can get with each script, as it could cause mass drug shortages.
• Doctors are pushing for the change to help relieve the pressure on general practitioners, but Tascone advises implementing the change over two or three years to avoid shortages.
• Shortages would include drugs like antidepressants and medication used for lowering cholesterol.
• The suggested changes also propose lower caps on medicine payments to make them more affordable.

General practitioners and community pharmacists are currently in conflict over how to save patients time and money when obtaining their medications, just ahead of the federal budget next month.

The main point of contention is the handling of prescriptions, with doctors advocating for patients to receive a 12-month supply of prescriptions at once instead of the current practice of six months. This would mean fewer visits to the doctor for prescription refills.

The argument from doctors is that this change would improve patients' access to general practitioners by reducing the burden on the system of having to go back to the doctor for repeat prescriptions for long-term conditions such as hypertension or high cholesterol.

The president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), Dr Nicole Higgins, supports this approach as a way to streamline the process and ensure patients receive uninterrupted medication supply for chronic conditions.

View attachment 17283

The change would include drugs like antidepressants and anti-cholesterol medication, possibly limiting their availability to people who need them. Credit: Unsplash/Mika Baumeister.

Doctors are also advocating for patients to be able to access double the amount of medications they currently can, from one month's supply to two months' supply at a time.

According to Dr Higgins, this would be more convenient for patients and also safer, as it would reduce the risk of running out of medications due to different pack sizes (e.g. 28-day or 30-day packs).

View attachment 17284

The suggested changes also propose lower caps on medicine payments, to make them more affordable. Credit: Unsplash/Roberto Sorin.

So, members, what can we take away from this? First, be careful not to assume that if you forget to buy your medications, you can just get some over-the-counter. Second, keep your medications well-stocked and renew your prescriptions at your earliest convenience.

Finally, there might be some changes on the horizon for the healthcare system, but rest assured that we will be sure to keep you members in the loop!

What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments!

Sounds like a good plan when it takes so long to get into a dr

 

[Ricci]

I would love for my prescriptions to last for a year as it seems I'm always running to the doctor to get repeats. Most of my medications I have been on for years and my prescriptions don't change.

 

[chezna]

What a load of trollop! All Chemist Warehouse is worried about is missing out on a months payment in every 2.. in USA they get 90 days with 4 repeats .. can’t see why they can’t do same here! As far as running out, that is crazy! Simple answer…order more! They’ve already been put on notice so order more now!

 

[ElizaKaye]

I have to have an injection ev ery 6 months for a osteo problem. They give me a date and time for my next appointment 6 months ahead. When I phone up to see if they had emailed through a prescription for the needle, to the chemist, I was told that I had to see the doctor for a prescription first. This occurs evey 6 months. After having two operations on my hip it is a struggle to get to the doctors, but they insist. I t seems very unfair that they just don't send the prescription through after they nominated the date and time for my appoinment 6 months earlier. They say all visits are on their computers. This seems past caring, but the need for payment for the visit.

 

[Colette 3799]

You only still get 1 month supply at a time just more repeats on original script. No shortage should occur.

Exactly! I don’t see a problem. On one of my medications I am only allowed a script and a repeat which is so annoying because I have to go to the drs so often. If they gave me a six month or a years supply I would still only be getting them every month from the chemist

 

[gordon1940]

I would love for my prescriptions to last for a year as it seems I'm always running to the doctor to get repeats. Most of my medications I have been on for years and my prescriptions don't change.

I agree. Same Prescription over 30 years. 12 month Scripts would suit me.

 

[Luckyus]

Members, listen up: the Director of Chemist Warehouse has urged caution following calls to double the number of medications that can be dispensed in a single prescription, saying it could lead to massive drug shortages in the country.

Mario Tascone, who serves as a Director at the renowned chemical and pharmaceutical chain, made his startling warning ahead of the May federal budget, in which doctors have proposed changes to the current prescription and dispensing rules.

Under the new system, drugs will be prescribed in doubled volumes, and a lower cap on the cost of medicine payments put in place in the hopes of relieving the pressure on GPs.

'We're all for doctors prescribing a 12-month supply of the medicine, as long as it's done month-by-month when it's dispensed because doing a double lot of dispensing each time will cause shortages, I have no doubt,' Tascone said in an interview with Today.

View attachment 17282

Doctor's groups have lobbied the government to change dispensing and prescribing rules ahead of the upcoming May federal budget meeting. Credit: Unsplash/James Yarema.

If Tascone's grim warning isn't enough to cause you to take notice, let us emphasise that the drugs that are expected to be in short supply are medications vital to day-to-day life – think antidepressants, cholesterol-lowering medications and so on.

'They're the type of medicines you never want to run out of in a pharmacy. People need them every day,' he explained.

The Chemist Warehouse boss said that while it would be possible to successfully increase drug volumes over time by 'two or three years', a sudden change in policy would spell disaster for pharmacists and the supply chain in general.

'Just one little bump like doubling the supply of medicine overnight will cause substantial damage to supply chains,' Tascone cautioned.

'You'd run out of medicines pretty quickly.'

Key Takeaways

• The boss of Chemist Warehouse, Mario Tascone, has warned against increasing the amount of medicine Australians can get with each script, as it could cause mass drug shortages.
• Doctors are pushing for the change to help relieve the pressure on general practitioners, but Tascone advises implementing the change over two or three years to avoid shortages.
• Shortages would include drugs like antidepressants and medication used for lowering cholesterol.
• The suggested changes also propose lower caps on medicine payments to make them more affordable.

General practitioners and community pharmacists are currently in conflict over how to save patients time and money when obtaining their medications, just ahead of the federal budget next month.

The main point of contention is the handling of prescriptions, with doctors advocating for patients to receive a 12-month supply of prescriptions at once instead of the current practice of six months. This would mean fewer visits to the doctor for prescription refills.

The argument from doctors is that this change would improve patients' access to general practitioners by reducing the burden on the system of having to go back to the doctor for repeat prescriptions for long-term conditions such as hypertension or high cholesterol.

The president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), Dr Nicole Higgins, supports this approach as a way to streamline the process and ensure patients receive uninterrupted medication supply for chronic conditions.

View attachment 17283

The change would include drugs like antidepressants and anti-cholesterol medication, possibly limiting their availability to people who need them. Credit: Unsplash/Mika Baumeister.

Doctors are also advocating for patients to be able to access double the amount of medications they currently can, from one month's supply to two months' supply at a time.

According to Dr Higgins, this would be more convenient for patients and also safer, as it would reduce the risk of running out of medications due to different pack sizes (e.g. 28-day or 30-day packs).

View attachment 17284

The suggested changes also propose lower caps on medicine payments, to make them more affordable. Credit: Unsplash/Roberto Sorin.

So, members, what can we take away from this? First, be careful not to assume that if you forget to buy your medications, you can just get some over-the-counter. Second, keep your medications well-stocked and renew your prescriptions at your earliest convenience.

Finally, there might be some changes on the horizon for the healthcare system, but rest assured that we will be sure to keep you members in the loop!

What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments!

My GP prescribes medications as a monthly repeat which realistically is a sixth month cycle except for opiates which is on a monthly basis, which is fine by me, as at that monthly meeting we can discuss any ongoing problems. Anything new I can Make an Appointment.

 

[Liz]

My GP gets a notification from my chemist when my scripts are due. Works for me. But I have my medication done in packs so usually get 4 weeks worth at a time. Only see GP for authority scripts and other issues.

 

[Lizzylou]

Like most on this forum, I agree if we were able to get more than five repeats of the medication you need then unless you really need to, you wouldn't need to go to the doctor often for scripts. Although the ones they should really consider increasing are the ones that the doctor needs to ring the health department to get their permission to write out the script. Some only come with 2 repeats some five. Even an increase particularly those where you only get two scripts for would help reducing the amount of visits to see the doctor.

 

[Gsr]

All my scripts have been for repeats for at least six months worth for years, unless it is a new medication I am going onto, then I go back to the dr after a month so he can make sure everything is going as it should.

 

[Catherines]

Chemist owner doing a 'cry me a river'. Get a grip! Pharmacists will just have to organise themselves better, inform the medication manufacturers to churn out more, then stock the shelves.
They have plenty of warning.

Obviously most people have no idea about the production methods and how many tablets/capsules/ liquids are produced at every ‘session’ of production. First they will need to gear up their machinery to produce more every day in addition to upping the ingredients that go into those tablets/capsules. Yes they need to look at upgrading everything needed to produce more, but it’s not that easy and quick to do. Bottles, packaging etc also need to be upgraded for more containers for what is going to come out of that increased production. All this involves more than one organisation - bottle manufacturers, package manufacturers, printers etc. It doesn’t happen overnight by clicking your fingers.

And after all the above, is anyone giving a thought to the many doctors’ incomes - less often visits also mean less income for doctors. I’m very lucky that my doctor still bulk bills. It might be more convenient for doctors to give scripts for a longer period allowing for more patients to be seen, instead of patients taking up the doctors time just for the writing of a script.

 

[Vinylted]

Like most on this forum, I agree if we were able to get more than five repeats of the medication you need then unless you really need to, you wouldn't need to go to the doctor often for scripts. Although the ones they should really consider increasing are the ones that the doctor needs to ring the health department to get their permission to write out the script. Some only come with 2 repeats some five. Even an increase particularly those where you only get two scripts for would help reducing the amount of visits to see the doctor.

I'm in the same boat together with my wife, some prescription need Govt. approval and then only 2 repeats. So visits to doctors to get the necessary prescription. Once upon a time we could ring the doctor, he'd write out the prescription and we'd pick it up from the doctors/ clinic. No more as the doctor doesn't get paid for his time any more.

 

[Catherines]

You only still get 1 month supply at a time just more repeats on original script. No shortage should occur.

Exactly. You cannot get 12 months supply in one trip to the chemist. Still only one month’s supply at a time & the script shows when you can get the next month’s supply. You cannot get more than one month dispensed at a time.

 

[Penny4]

Obviously most people have no idea about the production methods and how many tablets/capsules/ liquids are produced at every ‘session’ of production. First they will need to gear up their machinery to produce more every day in addition to upping the ingredients that go into those tablets/capsules. Yes they need to look at upgrading everything needed to produce more, but it’s not that easy and quick to do. Bottles, packaging etc also need to be upgraded for more containers for what is going to come out of that increased production. All this involves more than one organisation - bottle manufacturers, package manufacturers, printers etc. It doesn’t happen overnight by clicking your fingers.

And after all the above, is anyone giving a thought to the many doctors’ incomes - less often visits also mean less income for doctors. I’m very lucky that my doctor still bulk bills. It might be more convenient for doctors to give scripts for a longer period allowing for more patients to be seen, instead of patients taking up the doctors time just for the writing of a script.

Thanks for the heads up, however I think we all know that it won't happen overnight. That's if the plan ever goes ahead. Chemists are often against change, which is usually all about $. I remember many years ago, a discount chemist wanted to open up locally near me. A few other chemists nearby tried to ban it.
As for Doctors, I've never met a destitute one, but I suppose there could be. The GP's that I know seem to have amazing holidays.

 

[Reg Sorensen]

Members, listen up: the Director of Chemist Warehouse has urged caution following calls to double the number of medications that can be dispensed in a single prescription, saying it could lead to massive drug shortages in the country.

Mario Tascone, who serves as a Director at the renowned chemical and pharmaceutical chain, made his startling warning ahead of the May federal budget, in which doctors have proposed changes to the current prescription and dispensing rules.

Under the new system, drugs will be prescribed in doubled volumes, and a lower cap on the cost of medicine payments put in place in the hopes of relieving the pressure on GPs.

'We're all for doctors prescribing a 12-month supply of the medicine, as long as it's done month-by-month when it's dispensed because doing a double lot of dispensing each time will cause shortages, I have no doubt,' Tascone said in an interview with Today.

View attachment 17282

Doctor's groups have lobbied the government to change dispensing and prescribing rules ahead of the upcoming May federal budget meeting. Credit: Unsplash/James Yarema.

If Tascone's grim warning isn't enough to cause you to take notice, let us emphasise that the drugs that are expected to be in short supply are medications vital to day-to-day life – think antidepressants, cholesterol-lowering medications and so on.

'They're the type of medicines you never want to run out of in a pharmacy. People need them every day,' he explained.

The Chemist Warehouse boss said that while it would be possible to successfully increase drug volumes over time by 'two or three years', a sudden change in policy would spell disaster for pharmacists and the supply chain in general.

'Just one little bump like doubling the supply of medicine overnight will cause substantial damage to supply chains,' Tascone cautioned.

'You'd run out of medicines pretty quickly.'

Key Takeaways

• The boss of Chemist Warehouse, Mario Tascone, has warned against increasing the amount of medicine Australians can get with each script, as it could cause mass drug shortages.
• Doctors are pushing for the change to help relieve the pressure on general practitioners, but Tascone advises implementing the change over two or three years to avoid shortages.
• Shortages would include drugs like antidepressants and medication used for lowering cholesterol.
• The suggested changes also propose lower caps on medicine payments to make them more affordable.

General practitioners and community pharmacists are currently in conflict over how to save patients time and money when obtaining their medications, just ahead of the federal budget next month.

The main point of contention is the handling of prescriptions, with doctors advocating for patients to receive a 12-month supply of prescriptions at once instead of the current practice of six months. This would mean fewer visits to the doctor for prescription refills.

The argument from doctors is that this change would improve patients' access to general practitioners by reducing the burden on the system of having to go back to the doctor for repeat prescriptions for long-term conditions such as hypertension or high cholesterol.

The president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), Dr Nicole Higgins, supports this approach as a way to streamline the process and ensure patients receive uninterrupted medication supply for chronic conditions.

View attachment 17283

The change would include drugs like antidepressants and anti-cholesterol medication, possibly limiting their availability to people who need them. Credit: Unsplash/Mika Baumeister.

Doctors are also advocating for patients to be able to access double the amount of medications they currently can, from one month's supply to two months' supply at a time.

According to Dr Higgins, this would be more convenient for patients and also safer, as it would reduce the risk of running out of medications due to different pack sizes (e.g. 28-day or 30-day packs).

View attachment 17284

The suggested changes also propose lower caps on medicine payments, to make them more affordable. Credit: Unsplash/Roberto Sorin.

So, members, what can we take away from this? First, be careful not to assume that if you forget to buy your medications, you can just get some over-the-counter. Second, keep your medications well-stocked and renew your prescriptions at your earliest convenience.

Finally, there might be some changes on the horizon for the healthcare system, but rest assured that we will be sure to keep you members in the loop!

What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments!

Because this has changed what happens at the change of calendar year, when card holders have to pay for prescriptions until the required amount have been paid for by the cardholder. Because the prescriptions are doubled is this now to mean ONE prescription or still two?