Consumers are vowing to boycott Priceline pharmacies after some started to spot “politically motivated” signs in front of stores.
Photos of the signs outside Priceline pharmacies and other independent pharmacies started popping up on social media, with accusations they are fearmongering.
The signs carry messages against the federal government’s policy to allow people to buy two months’ worth of subsidised medicines on a single prescription, rather than just one.
“You and your loved ones are at risk of prescription medicine shortages due to the Albanese Labor Government,” one sign says.
One person even shared on Twitter that they found a pamphlet with the same messaging attached to their script.
Tweet from @drkerrynphelps
The QR code on the sign links out to a page authorised by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, warning now is “not the time to mess with medical supply”.
“Essential medicine is running out and may no longer be available in your pharmacy,” the website says.
“400 drugs are on the critical shortage list, and 20 per cent of these will be out of stock now that dispensing limits have been increased by the government.”
The site also promotes a petition for people to sign and allows for people to contact their local MP.
Hey @PricelineAU, I've noticed there's been medication shortages for ages now, well before the introduction of the new policy, which is of benefit to patients.
Agree this sign is balderdash & will #BoycottPriceline. https://t.co/bXEP0tBMHN— Alison J (@Alisoninlibrary) May 8, 2023
Signs are a ‘scare campaign’
“I think it’s a scare campaign,” Peter Breadon, the Grattan Institute’s health and aged care program director told The New Daily.
“It’s pretty disappointing to see because I think it exaggerates the risks a lot and it overlooks a lot of the benefits for both pharmacies, patients and doctors from the reforms that the government is putting into place.”
He said the purported risks of medicine shortages are “greatly overstated” and that the scheme will be brought in gradually, which minimises the risk.
Tweet from @JenMelb
“The overall volume of medicine going out the door will be the same. It will just be happening in a bigger bundle and less frequently,” he said.
Speaking to The New Daily, researcher Dr Nicholas Pan said the signs are likely to cause emotional distress and could lead to some people panicking, which could “worsen” the situation.
Although he acknowledged there is a shortage of some medications, the signs themselves were “slightly misleading”.
“The shortage is primarily caused by a manufacturing issue,” he said.
“Regardless whether there will be a 30-day supply or 60-day supply, the manufacturing issues are still there [and] is the underlying cause.”
It’s also not the first time in recent months the Pharmacy Guild has been accused of fearmongering, with Health Minister Mark Butler advising the pharmacy lobby against such tactics.
“Almost one million Australians go without a medicine or defer getting a script filled because of cost,” Mr Butler said last month.
“We know that dropping the price of medicines is better for patients’ compliance with their medicines that their doctor has prescribed.”
Patients not filling scripts due to cost is an issue, Mr Breadon said, adding the policy change could help people afford the medicine they need, fill the scripts at the pharmacy and in turn still support the pharmacy.
Transition for pharmacists
The Pharmacy Guild opposes the reform, citing concerns of some Australians missing out on their medication, and instead it wants to work with the government to “deliver cheaper medicine”.
Just last month, Pharmacy Guild of Australia national president Professor Trent Twomey said he didn’t want to see a “Hunger Games stand-off” where some people get “double the medicine they need, while others get nothing”.
More than 300 medicines will be included on the list, including treatment for conditions such as heart disease, cholesterol, Crohn’s disease and hypertension.
Earlier this year, Australian Medical Association vice-president Dr Danielle McMullen endorsed the proposed reforms in an interview with The New Daily.
“The benefits for consumers are they have to go to the chemist less often,” she said.
Mr Breadon acknowledges it would financially affect pharmacies, but he noted the government has pledged to put all the money back into the pharmacy sector.
Resist the pharmacy boycott
In an email to The New Daily, senior research fellow at the College of Medicine and Public Health at Flinders University, Dr Ash Hopkins warned against a boycott.
He said local pharmacists provide the community with essential health services.
Changing or boycotting a pharmacy is not advisable, as doing so can disrupt patient healthcare management.
Dr Hopkins also said that pharmacy owners’ expertise in the medicine supply chain needs to be acknowledged.
“The fact that they feel unheard by the government is significant. A clearly communicated plan must be in place to ensure that people can access the medicines they require without difficulty,” he said.
“Equally, it’s essential to avoid causing undue alarm, as hyperbole can contribute to medicine shortages.”
The New Daily contacted Priceline and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia for comment.
