House debates

Wednesday, 31 May 2023

Questions without Notice

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

2:41 pm

Photo of Anthony AlbaneseAnthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

You wouldn't know. You would not know. I not only have sat down—

Opposition members interjecting

You struggle to find the chamber, mate! I sat down with the head of the Pharmacy Guild in Brisbane two weeks ago. I sat down with the vice-president of the Pharmacy Guild in my electorate office just a couple of weeks ago. I'll continue to engage with community pharmacies, including in my own area, as will the health minister. And every member will because every member here knows the important role that community pharmacists have. But what we won't do is ignore completely, which those opposite want us to do, the cost-of-living pressures on people who have a health condition that requires regular drug treatment for the rest of their lives. Why should they pay double what they need to? Why should they? That's what those opposite have to ask. They can be angry—all this fake outrage from those opposite.

What we are doing is delivering on cheaper pharmaceuticals. We, through the minister, are and will continue to be engaged with the Pharmacy Guild and with community pharmacies. But we will be engaged in the interests of their customers as well. (Time expired)

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