Sim tells McMaugh that when it comes to double dispensing “there was a lack of consultation with the profession” – specifically, the PSA, which was not consulted despite regular meetings with the Minister’s office. S

he outlines how the PSA has attempted to get more detail, but been met with little engagement from the Health Department.

Sim also outlines challenges for patients as well as pharmacists.

“First of all, it’s the issue around availability of medicines, because we all know that in Australia at the moment – this is a matter of fact – you only have to work one day in a pharmacy to know that medicine shortages is a real issue…

“There is also a concern here around medicines safety.”

Wastage will be a big concern, she says, citing as an example PBS dispensing data which says 6% of patients who initiate the use of SGLT2 to manage Type 2 diabetes don’t come back for a repeat of the medication, and of the rest, 40% did not collect their medicines within a 45-day period during the first year of treatment.

“What this is saying is that there will be costs to the health system resulting from medicine wastage.”

And Sim also tells us just why double dispensing is a key issue for women.

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