Days of the local pharmacy could soon be over

Response to restrictive pricing regulations on the Pharmacy profession as proposed by the South African government in 2006. This proposal potentially means the end of the independent retail pharmacy reliant on prescription trade. Thankfully sanity prevailed after much industry lobbying and an amended bill (though still flawed) was passed...

Warning that new regulations could close down chemists and harm health care

New unworkable government pricing regulations threaten the long-term survival of the country’s pharmaceutical services.

The young, the old and the poor will be the victims.

Pharmacists have long been able to represent their profession with pride by the comforting and long-standing internationally adopted adage: “Ask your pharmacist.”

In South Africa, those days may soon be coming to an end for many a pharmacist and patient.

The South African health department is now in the process of a dogged attempt to broker the destruction of this noble and trusted profession with the introduction of new medicine-pricing regulations that are ill-considered and unworkable.

These regulations will guarantee disaster for many of South Africa’s pharmacies, forcing the closure of businesses, the retrenchment of staff and a severe curtailment of pharmaceutical services.

While most strive for a better life for all South Africans, the Health Department seems determined to place the nation’s health prospects on the brink of a slide into third world mediocrity.

Like the traditional family doctor, pharmacists are pillars in the health and social issues affecting their immediate communities. More than any other health professional, the community pharmacist is a convenient and unconditionally trusted first port of call, dealing with both medical and personal issues.

South Africa is a country in desperate need of more pharmacists, especially at community level. Pharmacists are not there simply to dispense medicines, but to advise, educate and most importantly, listen to the concerns of their patients.

The act of listening is what makes this profession most valuable in assessing and addressing the literal and figurative ills of those in their care.

The government is ready to blindly sweep aside a profession that by cold logic should be its greatest ally in health care education and the fight against AIDS and a myriad of chronic diseases.

In typical fashion, these Health Department pricing regulations have only considered the short-term results, where they should be concentrating on the long-term benefits for the health of all South Africans.

The subsequent fallout will see a crippling of pharmaceutical services in the areas where they are needed most.

The provision of adequate medical and pharmaceutical services at the primary care level is vital if South Africa hopes to significantly progress the health of the nation to first world standards.

A damning indictment on government policy sees the vacancy rates for pharmacy posts in both the state and private sectors at around 50% of what it should be.

Pharmacists are undeniably being forced to relinquish their practices, pursue alternate careers and take up employment in the many countries actively courting their services and valuable expertise.

The South Africans needing the community pharmacistmost will end up the real victims in this debacle.

In the rural areas, the most vulnerable are the young, the aged and the poor. These people are destined to limited access to pharmaceutical care with the predictable closure of pharmacies and relocation of pharmacists to areas capable of providing better opportunities.

Considering the farce already clouding the HIV/AIDS issue, South Africa’s leaders and people have to start making careful decisions regarding the health of the nation.

Africa is in a state of chaos; politically, socially and from a health perspective. AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease are changing the face of Southern Africa on a daily basis. Even in the eyes of the blindly patriotic, South Africa is no different.

As a matter of urgency we have to prioritise health care, and those that are able to deliver it effectively.

These new regulations cast a real doubt on effective health-care delivery in the country, and also the future of the many pharmacists finding their profession in a state-sponsored quandary.

It is shameful to see South African pharmacists forced to close not only their businesses as their livelihoods, but bring an end to the community pharmacy that is so much a part of every South African’s life.

From the day we are born, until the day we die, the local pharmacist has always been a part of our daily existence; healing us, advising us, comforting us, laughing with us, and simply understanding us.

The pharmacist is a most valuable asset that no community can afford to be without.

Every first world country is crying out for pharmacists because they know their value in society, especially in the delivery of health-care at the primary level.

The shortage and demand for qualified pharmacists in rapidly developing countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA is going to act as a lure more than ever before in light of this Health Department’s attitude to the profession in South Africa.

In all these countries pharmacists are provided with opportunity, additional skills and encouraged to broaden their professional knowledge base. In South Africa we have to do the same as a matter of common sense.

Many scoff at the increasing number of South African pharmacists choosing to accept offers of fast-track migration to the USA and Australia. However, the acid test lies ultimately in the government’s approach to maximising the expectation, utilisation and long-term viability of all the medical professions.

The government refuses at the nation’s expense.

The pharmacy profession is keeping a keen eye on the decisions of the Health Department, as there is still opportunity to make the right choices for the health issues troubling the country.

Get it wrong, and they let down not only this nation, but also its future generations.

Published in The Herald (Port Elizabeth) and news24.com