Posted by Michael Wonder on 15 Aug 2019
Pharmacists call for Medicare rebates for medical consultations at the chemist
15 August 2019 - Pharmacists are pushing the Morrison government for changes to the Medicare system to allow Australians to claim rebates for vaccinations and medical consultations at their local chemist.
Pharmacy Guild vice president Anthony Tassone, who runs a pharmacy in Melbourne, said pharmacists should be allowed to give travel vaccinations, prescribe the contraceptive pill and treat complaints like erectile dysfunction and urinary tract infections.
The Australian Medical Association is fiercely opposed to what it sees as an intrusion on its members' domain, saying if pharmacists want to be doctors they should "go to medical school" and describing the guild's campaign as "irresponsible and dangerous".
