Deregulation the ‘wrong prescription’

THIS morning I met with pharmacists in Mackay who voiced concerns about deregulation recommendations outlined in the recent Harper Review.I agree that handing over health care to the major supermarkets would be a disaster for the local community. It's too important to be handing over to Coles and Woolies.The Pharmacy Guild is currently negotiating a new pharmacy agreement with the Federal Government, including the rates and rules for payment under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.I can’t see Coles CEO, John Durkan, dropping off some little old lady's prescriptions like many local pharmacists do for their bed-ridden patients.