Smaller chemists may lose out to bigger players thanks to stock order minimums and after-the-fact rebates
Rural pharmacists like Joanne Loftus are concerned the wholesaling system for rapid antigen tests is set up to support larger pharmacies at the expense of smaller chemists.Rural pharmacists like Joanne Loftus are concerned the wholesaling system for rapid antigen tests is set up to support larger pharmacies at the expense of smaller chemists.Wed 19 Jan 2022 02.41 GMT
Joanne Loftus, proprietor and sole pharmacist of Northampton Pharmacy in Western Australia – a town with a population under 1,000 – said the entire wholesaling system seemed to be set up to support larger pharmacies. Although the program is due to commence from 24 January, Smith is looking at delivery in mid-to-late February and is worried about his business not being able to absorb the loss if the government policy changes, “as we’ve seen with government policy changing very frequently”.
A spokesperson from the Pharmacy Guild of Australia told the Guardian that “participation is not compulsory, and pharmacies will make their own decisions to participate subject to their ability to source RAT kits to be able to provide to eligible patients”. Similarly, for many of Stott’s customers, the drive to the nearest pharmacy would be over an hour and not an option for the elderly. Rural pharmacies also often have limited public transport options available.spokesperson told Guardian Australia that “specific decisions in respect of stocking, supply and purchasing arrangements are a matter between the pharmacy and the wholesale distributor”.
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