In an incident that has sparked outrage and a conversation about racial insensitivity in Australia, an Aboriginal mother from Adelaide has called out a pharmacist for making an 'outrageous' comment about her heritage. The mother, identified as Chelsea, went to fill her insulin prescription under the Closing the Gap (CTG) scheme, which offers a co-payment to reduce the cost of medicines for Indigenous Australians. However, the encounter took an unpleasant turn when the pharmacist questioned her Indigenous status based on her appearance.

Chelsea's experience, which she detailed in a now-viral TikTok video, highlights a broader issue of racial profiling and discrimination that unfortunately persists in modern Australia. The pharmacist's comment, suggesting that Chelsea 'must be 1/16th or something' because she didn't 'appear Aboriginal enough' to him, is a stark reminder of the ignorance and prejudice that can lurk even in professional settings where respect and sensitivity should be paramount.

An Adelaide mother was subjected to a racially insensitive comment by a pharmacist while collecting her insulin prescription. Credit: @chelseah1999 / TikTok

The CTG scheme is a vital component of Australia's healthcare system, aimed at addressing the significant health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Pharmacists and other healthcare providers play a crucial role in this scheme, and it is essential that they administer these services with the utmost respect for all patients, regardless of their background or appearance.

Chelsea's father is Aboriginal, and she rightfully qualifies for the CTG scheme. Her shock at the pharmacist's comment reflects a society where 'in 2024 we're still making comments about the colour of people's skin,' as she put it. The pharmacist's attempt to gauge her Indigenous status based on her physical appearance is not only inappropriate but also deeply offensive. It disregards the complex and diverse nature of Aboriginal identity and heritage.

The reaction to Chelsea's video was swift and supportive, with many Australians expressing their shock at the chemist's behaviour and sharing their own experiences of casual racism. Comments ranged from disbelief to anger, with one person noting, 'What a weird thing to say to a stranger,' and another lamenting, 'The way racism is so casual and rife in Australia is crazy.'

This incident serves as a powerful reminder that racism can manifest in subtle and overt ways, even in everyday interactions such as visiting the pharmacy. It's a call to action for all Australians to educate themselves on the rich and varied tapestry of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and challenge their biases.

For our members, particularly those who identify as Indigenous Australians, it's important to know your rights when accessing healthcare services. If you ever encounter discrimination or insensitivity, remember that you are entitled to respectful treatment and that there are avenues to report such behaviour. You can speak to the pharmacy manager, file a complaint with the Pharmacy Board of Australia, or seek support from Indigenous health services or legal aid organisations.

As we continue to strive for a more inclusive and respectful society, let's take this story as a learning opportunity. Let's engage in open and honest conversations about race and identity, and let's ensure that our healthcare providers are educated on cultural sensitivity and the importance of treating every patient with dignity.

Credit: TikTok​

Key Takeaways

• An Adelaide mother-of-two was subjected to a racially insensitive comment by a pharmacist when she went to get her insulin prescription under the Closing the Gap scheme.
• The pharmacist questioned her Indigenous Australian identity because she did not 'appear Aboriginal enough' to him, prompting a discussion about racism in Australia.
• The incident was shared in a TikTok video that went viral, with many Australians expressing shock at the casual racism and sharing their own similar experiences.
• The mother's experience highlights ongoing issues of racial discrimination and ignorance regarding the diversity of appearances among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences on this matter in the comments below. Have you or someone you know faced similar challenges? How can we work together to ensure that all Australians, regardless of their background, receive the respect and care they deserve?

 

[Knell]

And maybe the Chemist is trying to stop unscrupulous younger people who have absolutely no claim under the scheme from trying to rort the system......??

Are you serious? The Closing the Gap (CTG) PBS co-payment reduces the cost of PBS medicines. Eligible patients can get their medicine at the concession price. Or, if they have a concession or health care card, their medicine is free.
The patient's GP ticks a box on the script. The Chemist is out of line and should refer it to the Dr. who prescribed the insulin if he is so concerned - not his place to question the lady.
"Indigenous populations are disproportionately affected by type 2 diabetes and associated complications. Social determinants of health are likely key contributors. In Australia, diabetes was the third leading cause of death for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in 2019." Does the chemist provide you with free or cheaper meds without a concession card? No, but has he the right to say you look ok, sure you should be getting this med on the taxpayer purse?

 

[DLHM]

Here's an idea! How about they have to have a tattoo on their forehead showing the % of "Caste-ness"...so that people, who don't like to mind their own business, can demand to see their qualification hmmm???

Perhaps you should mind your own business.

 

[Mr Chips]

I bet if you cut yourself your blood would be red... and If a 100% English man cut himself his blood would be red as well....

Could even be blue!

 

[Viellarde]

None of your business!

It was a rhetorical question because someone said she was too white.

 

[Kahlan28]

Here's an idea! How about they have to have a tattoo on their forehead showing the % of "Caste-ness"...so that people, who don't like to mind their own business, can demand to see their qualification hmmm???

OMG!!!

 

[Towing]

I don't know whether or it pensions for Indigenous are higher but I know student allowances are.
Abstudy allowance is quite a bit higher than ordinary allowance is

 

[DLHM]

There are plenty of allowances handed out to indigenous Australians that no other Australian is qualified for. Where’s the equality for all Australians?

 

[Knell]

It was a rhetorical question because someone said she was too white.

Yes, sorry. I did reply to the wrong post.

 

[Kevin. A.]

I do not think that the comment was specifically racially targeting anyone. The Pharmacist was simply questioning whether you as looking like a white female were in fact of aboriginal decent and as such entitled to receive indigenous benefits. This is the problem with racial division, we begin to divide our people into smaller and smaller groups. Each group pushing their own identity demanding privileges/ rights based upon that racial identity. The sooner Australians unite as one country and one people then the sooner we can stop racial vilification.

 

[Viellarde]

Yes, sorry. I did reply to the wrong post.

All good here.

 

[magpie1]

I do not think that the comment was specifically racially targeting anyone. The Pharmacist was simply questioning whether you as looking like a white female were in fact of aboriginal decent and as such entitled to receive indigenous benefits. This is the problem with racial division, we begin to divide our people into smaller and smaller groups. Each group pushing their own identity demanding privileges/ rights based upon that racial identity. The sooner Australians unite as one country and one people then the sooner we can stop racial vilification.

Agree with that....but the way things are going lately I think I'll be long dead before it ever happens.

 

[deni67]

I do not think that the comment was specifically racially targeting anyone. The Pharmacist was simply questioning whether you as looking like a white female were in fact of aboriginal decent and as such entitled to receive indigenous benefits. This is the problem with racial division, we begin to divide our people into smaller and smaller groups. Each group pushing their own identity demanding privileges/ rights based upon that racial identity. The sooner Australians unite as one country and one people then the sooner we can stop racial vilification.

Very true.

 

[marni]

We are all Australians. We cannot discriminate All should have the same ability to procure medications as needed paid for by the taxpayer.

 

[Mr Chips]

We are all Australians. We cannot discriminate All should have the same ability to procure medications as needed paid for by the taxpayer.

"We are one, and we are many, and from all the lands on earth we come. We share our dreams and sing with one voice: we are, you are, we are Australians".

 

[Knell]

“We cannot discriminate...” and that is exactly what the Pharmacist did. As I see it, the Pharmacist also made an implied accusation that the Doctor was acting fraudulently. How should this lady have proven her authenticity? Everyone on welfare has the same concessions for pharmaceutical benefits.