Barbara Stewart MP
Spokesperson for Health
27 June 2012

Pharmacy Services Threatened under New Contracts

New Zealand First warns the Government’s mishandling around new contracts for pharmacists may force some pharmacies to reduce prescription services.

Health spokesperson Barbara Stewart says copies of the 160 page contract were not delivered in hard copy to some pharmacists until four days before it had to be signed.

"Pharmacy owners can’t be expected to provide a public service and effectively run their businesses when they haven’t been given time to enter good faith negotiations with the Government.

“It is estimated that some pharmacists will lose more than $100,000 over the three years covered by the new contracts. It may force some to close down.”

Mrs Stewart says the Government is deliberately interfering with the relationship between pharmacy staff and their customers as part of their policies of reducing services to cut costs.

“This short-sighted policy threatens an essential part of the health service.”

ENDS

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