Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Hansard source

Under the previous rounds there has been no decrease in the number of pharmacies. I am not in any way saying that what you are alluding to may not be correct, but I think it is useful to point out that there has not been no decrease in the number of pharmacies; in fact, I think there has indeed been a slight increase.

No, there has not been specific modelling done, as I understand it. But I think it is also useful to the Senate to place on record some of the facts around the potential increases to pharmacies, which are on average around $175,000 per annum. That includes: $16,000 per annum for increased prescription volumes; an estimated $14,000 per pharmacy from high-cost listings from 2014-15 alone; and $21,000 per annum in funding the Premium Free Dispensing Initiative. I would also point out to the Senate that the dispensing fees that are in place at the moment and other fees are not impacted on by this piece of legislation. Indeed, I think there is around $13.8 billion worth that goes to those dispensing fees and the other fees.