Pharmacy Deregulation

Re PHARMACY DEREGULATION

News about the possibility of Pharmacy deregulation is of concern to Alcohol Drug Association (ADA) says ADA’s Chief executive Paul Traynor due to many valid reasons raised by the Pharmacy Guild.

Mr Traynor suggested “that this could impact on the safety of the community is terms of heightening the risk of burglary at sites where so called ‘medicines’ are sold.” It is also not understanding the safety net a pharmacy provides around particular drugs and the access that can be provide for those accessing drugs legally. He said, “it is naïve for the Supermarket retailers to think that access to medicines will not attract a different clientele to supermarkets making them a target for access to medicines.” He also said “that the move underestimates the growing issues around home made drugs such as amphetamines or methamphetamines.”

“The community needs to be aware of the professionalism of the Pharmacy sector who provide some valuable protective factors for the wider community.” The one stop shop also raises concerns for the social well being of rural communities where local relationships enhance access to help and support. The pharmacy says Mr Traynor “means and suggests availability to medicines and someone to seek advice and support from rather than the centralist measure of greater profits promoted by the big supermarket chains”.

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