Tammy Tyrrell (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Gallagher. The government's 60-day dispensing policy began on 1 September. Since then, several small pharmacies in Tasmania have reduced their opening hours and reduced staff hours. Launceston's only late-night pharmacy now shuts at 8 pm instead of 10 pm. One regional pharmacy chose not to put on a new pharmacist or take on a new trainee, because they couldn't afford it. Does the government recognise that their 60-day dispensing policy, while helping to reduce costs for patients, has hurt some small pharmacies?