West says that while PDL does not take the representative stance of organisations like the Guild or PSA, it “obviously” has concerns about double dispensing, outlining two potential problems in detail.

He says there has been “huge demand and sometimes threats and aggression” from patients seeking elusive medicines such as Ozempic, and says 60-day dispensing could worsen shortages, meaning that some customers will be unhappy if a shortage affects their medicine’s availability.

When patients are unhappy with a pharmacy which has been unable to supply a drug, they may resort to making complaints with the regulator, with all the impacts this has on the pharmacist and their colleagues.

PDL is also worries about errors when larger quantities are being supplied – Australian pharmacists don’t make a lot of errors overall, but West says we’re all human and that when it happens, double dispensing could make matters worse.

“When there’s a larger quantity of an incorrect medicine being supplied, or some sort of other  error being made, perhaps with directions or labelling, there is obviously a greater risk of an adverse consequence for a patient.”

And how can pharmacy prepare for deal with the implementation of 60-day dispensing? West shares some useful advice.

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