Latest news with #PharmacyGuildofAustralia
7NEWS
09-07-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
Fears Australian pharmaceutical industry could collapse as US President Donald Trump threatens 200 per cent tariffs
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia's president, Trent Twomey, has warned our domestic production of pharmaceuticals could be at risk if US President Donald Trump slaps a 200 per cent tariff on imports. Trump announced on Tuesday, local time, he intends on using the tariffs to bring manufacturing back to the US. The president said he planned to impose the tariffs 'very soon', indicating a grace period of between a year and 18 months. Trump officials went on to explain formal details of the plan would be available at the end of the month. Pharmaceutical products are the third-biggest category in our trade with America, behind beef and gold. Last year, Australia exported about $2.2 billion of pharmaceutical good to the US. '(The US is our) largest market, so they are going to really struggle,' Twomey said. 'You cannot have domestic manufacturing in Australia if you are only relying on 27 million people (as a market). It doesn't work. 'The only way domestic manufacturing works in Australia with our high energy and our high wages, and that's just a fact, is if we rely on exports, and if the biggest market of our export, the United States, slaps on the tariffs then it just starts to crumble and fall apart. 'It means the next time we have a global pandemic, or the next time supply chains start to fracture, other countries will do quite rightly do what they should, they will say 'sorry, you can't export to Australia', we need that for our domestic and our country goes without. 'It is not a price at pharmacy issue; it is more of a sovereign manufacturing issue that we need to protect.' US drug companies angry at the PBS Sunrise's Nat Barr asked Twomey why US drug companies are mad. Twomey said the tariffs were a result of US drug companies and their intense dislike for our PBS. 'The first thing you need to realise at home, the price you are charged by your pharmacy is actually going down, not up,' Twomey said. '(The) government slashed the maximum price of medicines from $42 down to $31. It is being slashed again down to $25 on January 1, so you don't need to worry. 'The worry is how much it is going to cost Canberra to import the medications they then sell to you. 'The real worry there is that if President Trump forces the companies in America to charge less, that drug company is still going to want to make their global profit. 'So, they are going to push the price to charge our taxpayer up. 'The real enemy for the Americans is not the Australian PBS system, the real enemy for them is their pharmacy benefit managers over there. They are trillion-dollar middlemen, they are clipping the ticket on the way through. 'If Mr Trump is angry, I get it, but he shouldn't be angry about Australia's world class PBS, he needs to be angry at the trillion-dollar corporate rip-offs in America, that are charging his citizens more money. 'That's where he needs to direct his anger.' Prices won't change for Australians Barr asked if prices for pharmaceuticals would change in Australia. 'Firstly, the PBS enjoys bipartisan support,' Twomey began. 'This is not a football to be kicked around in Canberra. Specifically, to answer your question, only 10 per cent of medicines we have in Australia are manufactured locally. 'Now, if we are importing 90 per cent of our medication, we can't afford to lose that domestic manufacturing capability. 'And if those drug companies, like CSL, in Melbourne, are slapped with a 200 per cent tariffs on exports to the United States, that's going to make their companies unviable here in Australia, if they become solely reliant on the domestic market. 'The big risk for that is they manufacture our vaccines. ' Security risks Twomey said Australia wouldn't have been able to get through the pandemic if it didn't have onshore manufacturing of pharmaceuticals. 'We would not have been able to get through the global pandemic if we did not have domestic manufacturing, and that really is a national security issue,' he said.
Sydney Morning Herald
01-07-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
As it happened: Brisbane on Tuesday, July 1
Go to latest Pinned post from 1.30pm Healthcare gets booster shot as pharmacy prescribing laws become permanent By Catherine Strohfeldt Community healthcare access is expanding from today as Queensland's new pharmacy prescribing laws come into effect. The changes remove the need for patients to visit a GP or hospital in some circumstances, instead enabling eligible community pharmacists to treat minor health issues. The services include treatments for ear infections, minor wound care, skin conditions, and reflux. Prescriptions can also be provided and filled for such things as hormonal birth control and hay fever medications. Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland president Chris Owen thanked the government for making the program permanent after its trial ended earlier this year. 'The continuation of these services marks an important shift in how primary health care is delivered in Queensland, making better use of pharmacists' clinical skills, and improving patient access to frontline care,' Owen said. 'Most Australians live within 2.5 kilometres of a community pharmacy, many of which are open after hours or on weekends.' Pharmacists must complete additional training to be eligible for the program. 3.10pm Today's stories Thanks for joining us today for our live coverage of news in Brisbane and beyond. We'll be back tomorrow morning. If you're just catching up, here are some of the big stories that made headlines today. Flights to and from Brisbane have been cancelled or delayed, with 'severe weather' forecast to lash parts of the east coast. The Queensland government will set up a new Treasury Transaction Team to attract private capital to help the government deliver its infrastructure pipeline, the treasurer has announced. The identity of the Melbourne childcare worker charged with more than 70 offences, including child rape, has been revealed, as authorities say 1200 children must get tested for infectious diseases. Videos, police fact sheets and court documents reveal the moments leading up to and after the violent melee that left former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas with a gruesome eye injury. Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater has confirmed that lingering injury concerns for Reece Walsh had nothing to do with his State of Origin omission in favour of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. Healthcare gets booster shot as pharmacy prescribing laws become permanent By Catherine Strohfeldt Community healthcare access is expanding from today as Queensland's new pharmacy prescribing laws come into effect. The changes remove the need for patients to visit a GP or hospital in some circumstances, instead enabling eligible community pharmacists to treat minor health issues. The services include treatments for ear infections, minor wound care, skin conditions, and reflux. Prescriptions can also be provided and filled for such things as hormonal birth control and hay fever medications. Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland president Chris Owen thanked the government for making the program permanent after its trial ended earlier this year. 'The continuation of these services marks an important shift in how primary health care is delivered in Queensland, making better use of pharmacists' clinical skills, and improving patient access to frontline care,' Owen said. 'Most Australians live within 2.5 kilometres of a community pharmacy, many of which are open after hours or on weekends.'
The Age
01-07-2025
- Health
- The Age
As it happened: Brisbane on Tuesday, July 1
Go to latest Pinned post from 1.30pm Healthcare gets booster shot as pharmacy prescribing laws become permanent By Catherine Strohfeldt Community healthcare access is expanding from today as Queensland's new pharmacy prescribing laws come into effect. The changes remove the need for patients to visit a GP or hospital in some circumstances, instead enabling eligible community pharmacists to treat minor health issues. The services include treatments for ear infections, minor wound care, skin conditions, and reflux. Prescriptions can also be provided and filled for such things as hormonal birth control and hay fever medications. Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland president Chris Owen thanked the government for making the program permanent after its trial ended earlier this year. 'The continuation of these services marks an important shift in how primary health care is delivered in Queensland, making better use of pharmacists' clinical skills, and improving patient access to frontline care,' Owen said. 'Most Australians live within 2.5 kilometres of a community pharmacy, many of which are open after hours or on weekends.' Pharmacists must complete additional training to be eligible for the program. 3.10pm Today's stories Thanks for joining us today for our live coverage of news in Brisbane and beyond. We'll be back tomorrow morning. If you're just catching up, here are some of the big stories that made headlines today. Flights to and from Brisbane have been cancelled or delayed, with 'severe weather' forecast to lash parts of the east coast. The Queensland government will set up a new Treasury Transaction Team to attract private capital to help the government deliver its infrastructure pipeline, the treasurer has announced. The identity of the Melbourne childcare worker charged with more than 70 offences, including child rape, has been revealed, as authorities say 1200 children must get tested for infectious diseases. Videos, police fact sheets and court documents reveal the moments leading up to and after the violent melee that left former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas with a gruesome eye injury. Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater has confirmed that lingering injury concerns for Reece Walsh had nothing to do with his State of Origin omission in favour of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. Healthcare gets booster shot as pharmacy prescribing laws become permanent By Catherine Strohfeldt Community healthcare access is expanding from today as Queensland's new pharmacy prescribing laws come into effect. The changes remove the need for patients to visit a GP or hospital in some circumstances, instead enabling eligible community pharmacists to treat minor health issues. The services include treatments for ear infections, minor wound care, skin conditions, and reflux. Prescriptions can also be provided and filled for such things as hormonal birth control and hay fever medications. Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland president Chris Owen thanked the government for making the program permanent after its trial ended earlier this year. 'The continuation of these services marks an important shift in how primary health care is delivered in Queensland, making better use of pharmacists' clinical skills, and improving patient access to frontline care,' Owen said. 'Most Australians live within 2.5 kilometres of a community pharmacy, many of which are open after hours or on weekends.'
The Advertiser
14-06-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
Pharmacists push for new bowel screening approach
As Australia falls short of its national cancer bowel screening targets, pharmacists are calling for a revamped approach. The latest National Bowel Cancer Program monitoring report found of the 6.28 million Australians invited to take part, nearly six in 10 aged between 50 and 74 did not return their free bowel cancer screening test. Despite a target participation rate of 55 per cent, only 41.7 per cent of people have taken up the opportunity to take a free bowel cancer screening test. The lack of take up is surprising, given it's Australia's deadliest cancer. Pharmacy Guild of Australia national president Trent Twomey says the current approach of sending tests to eligible Australians through the mail "isn't working" and it's time to try something new. "Australia needs to make the most of all its health professionals to increase early screening," he said. "On average people visit a community pharmacy every three weeks. Community pharmacies are open into the evenings and weekends, making them the most accessible frontline health service." Pharmacist and Bowel Cancer ambassador Jane Hoffman lost her husband to the deadly disease at 42. "For too many, like my beloved husband Marty, the diagnosis is too late," she said. "Young dads like Marty might test earlier if prompted by a community pharmacist." Bowel cancer is Australia's second deadliest cancer, but if detected early almost 90 per cent of cases can be treated successfully. Screening aims to detect early signs in healthy individuals. Those without symptoms of bowel cancer should consider being screened, with a test every two years recommended for those aged 45-74. These tests are currently posted to patients but a large number are unreturned. Tests for those aged 40-44 and 75-85 are available to purchase privately at local pharmacies. As Australia falls short of its national cancer bowel screening targets, pharmacists are calling for a revamped approach. The latest National Bowel Cancer Program monitoring report found of the 6.28 million Australians invited to take part, nearly six in 10 aged between 50 and 74 did not return their free bowel cancer screening test. Despite a target participation rate of 55 per cent, only 41.7 per cent of people have taken up the opportunity to take a free bowel cancer screening test. The lack of take up is surprising, given it's Australia's deadliest cancer. Pharmacy Guild of Australia national president Trent Twomey says the current approach of sending tests to eligible Australians through the mail "isn't working" and it's time to try something new. "Australia needs to make the most of all its health professionals to increase early screening," he said. "On average people visit a community pharmacy every three weeks. Community pharmacies are open into the evenings and weekends, making them the most accessible frontline health service." Pharmacist and Bowel Cancer ambassador Jane Hoffman lost her husband to the deadly disease at 42. "For too many, like my beloved husband Marty, the diagnosis is too late," she said. "Young dads like Marty might test earlier if prompted by a community pharmacist." Bowel cancer is Australia's second deadliest cancer, but if detected early almost 90 per cent of cases can be treated successfully. Screening aims to detect early signs in healthy individuals. Those without symptoms of bowel cancer should consider being screened, with a test every two years recommended for those aged 45-74. These tests are currently posted to patients but a large number are unreturned. Tests for those aged 40-44 and 75-85 are available to purchase privately at local pharmacies. As Australia falls short of its national cancer bowel screening targets, pharmacists are calling for a revamped approach. The latest National Bowel Cancer Program monitoring report found of the 6.28 million Australians invited to take part, nearly six in 10 aged between 50 and 74 did not return their free bowel cancer screening test. Despite a target participation rate of 55 per cent, only 41.7 per cent of people have taken up the opportunity to take a free bowel cancer screening test. The lack of take up is surprising, given it's Australia's deadliest cancer. Pharmacy Guild of Australia national president Trent Twomey says the current approach of sending tests to eligible Australians through the mail "isn't working" and it's time to try something new. "Australia needs to make the most of all its health professionals to increase early screening," he said. "On average people visit a community pharmacy every three weeks. Community pharmacies are open into the evenings and weekends, making them the most accessible frontline health service." Pharmacist and Bowel Cancer ambassador Jane Hoffman lost her husband to the deadly disease at 42. "For too many, like my beloved husband Marty, the diagnosis is too late," she said. "Young dads like Marty might test earlier if prompted by a community pharmacist." Bowel cancer is Australia's second deadliest cancer, but if detected early almost 90 per cent of cases can be treated successfully. Screening aims to detect early signs in healthy individuals. Those without symptoms of bowel cancer should consider being screened, with a test every two years recommended for those aged 45-74. These tests are currently posted to patients but a large number are unreturned. Tests for those aged 40-44 and 75-85 are available to purchase privately at local pharmacies. As Australia falls short of its national cancer bowel screening targets, pharmacists are calling for a revamped approach. The latest National Bowel Cancer Program monitoring report found of the 6.28 million Australians invited to take part, nearly six in 10 aged between 50 and 74 did not return their free bowel cancer screening test. Despite a target participation rate of 55 per cent, only 41.7 per cent of people have taken up the opportunity to take a free bowel cancer screening test. The lack of take up is surprising, given it's Australia's deadliest cancer. Pharmacy Guild of Australia national president Trent Twomey says the current approach of sending tests to eligible Australians through the mail "isn't working" and it's time to try something new. "Australia needs to make the most of all its health professionals to increase early screening," he said. "On average people visit a community pharmacy every three weeks. Community pharmacies are open into the evenings and weekends, making them the most accessible frontline health service." Pharmacist and Bowel Cancer ambassador Jane Hoffman lost her husband to the deadly disease at 42. "For too many, like my beloved husband Marty, the diagnosis is too late," she said. "Young dads like Marty might test earlier if prompted by a community pharmacist." Bowel cancer is Australia's second deadliest cancer, but if detected early almost 90 per cent of cases can be treated successfully. Screening aims to detect early signs in healthy individuals. Those without symptoms of bowel cancer should consider being screened, with a test every two years recommended for those aged 45-74. These tests are currently posted to patients but a large number are unreturned. Tests for those aged 40-44 and 75-85 are available to purchase privately at local pharmacies.
West Australian
14-06-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Pharmacists push for new bowel screening approach
As Australia falls short of its national cancer bowel screening targets, pharmacists are calling for a revamped approach. The latest National Bowel Cancer Program monitoring report found of the 6.28 million Australians invited to take part, nearly six in 10 aged between 50 and 74 did not return their free bowel cancer screening test. Despite a target participation rate of 55 per cent, only 41.7 per cent of people have taken up the opportunity to take a free bowel cancer screening test. The lack of take up is surprising, given it's Australia's deadliest cancer. Pharmacy Guild of Australia national president Trent Twomey says the current approach of sending tests to eligible Australians through the mail "isn't working" and it's time to try something new. "Australia needs to make the most of all its health professionals to increase early screening," he said. "On average people visit a community pharmacy every three weeks. Community pharmacies are open into the evenings and weekends, making them the most accessible frontline health service." Pharmacist and Bowel Cancer ambassador Jane Hoffman lost her husband to the deadly disease at 42. "For too many, like my beloved husband Marty, the diagnosis is too late," she said. "Young dads like Marty might test earlier if prompted by a community pharmacist." Bowel cancer is Australia's second deadliest cancer, but if detected early almost 90 per cent of cases can be treated successfully. Screening aims to detect early signs in healthy individuals. Those without symptoms of bowel cancer should consider being screened, with a test every two years recommended for those aged 45-74. These tests are currently posted to patients but a large number are unreturned. Tests for those aged 40-44 and 75-85 are available to purchase privately at local pharmacies.
