Minister Dutton Supports Community Pharmacy Model

Minister Dutton has reiterated the Coalition's support for the community pharmacy model.

The Guild has responded strongly to the National Commission of Audit report.

Within hours of the report’s release last Thursday, we issued a media release pointing out how its recommendations would decimate pharmacy and destroy patients’ equitable access to the PBS.

We put our case strongly in media interviews and immediately sought assurances from the Health Minister’s office that the Commission’s recommendation to deregulate community pharmacy would not be pursued by the Coalition Government.

Minister Dutton has reiterated the Coalition’s support for the community pharmacy model and its opposition to allowing the supermarkets into pharmacy. He has also made clear he does not support the medicine tendering model that restricts patient choice and access in New Zealand.

Please be assured that the Guild’s National office and all of the Guild Branches will continue to advocate strongly on our members’ behalf to ensure that the National Commission of Audit’s recommendations in relation to pharmacy are consigned to the dustbin of history.