Community and Pharmacy Support Group is an independent group made up of passionate Australian pharmacists, interns, dispensary techs, pharmacy assistants, and more. This group is united against 60-day dispensing (60DD) and its plethora of negative effects on the viability of the pharmacy industry.
We want to share a powerful reminder that a fellow Pharmacist shared with us: "Bad things happen because good people don't stand up." As a pharmacist, you have the power to make a difference, not just in the lives of your patients but also in the broader pharmacy sector. It is easy to become disheartened by the challenges and injustices we witness around us. But in these moments, we must remember the importance of taking a stand. Our voice, actions, and advocacy can create a ripple effect that brings about positive change.
When good people like you stand up, speak out against injustice and fight for what is right, we can challenge the unfairness and pave the way for a better future for our sector. Our unique perspective, expertise, and dedication make us a powerful force for change. Don't underestimate that.
By standing up, you are advocating for your patients and their well-being and the integrity of the pharmacy profession. Remember, the collective efforts of good people have historically brought about significant transformations within our sector.
Whether it is advocating for fair healthcare policies, challenging unethical interference from other professions or championing patient rights, your actions matter. Never underestimate the power of your influence as a pharmacist.
Your commitment to doing what is right, even in the face of adversity, can impact the viability of thousands of jobs in our sector, especially women's jobs. Together, let us be the good people who stand up, refuse to accept the unacceptable, and work tirelessly to create a fair policy that is not destructive and is patient centric.
With unwavering belief in your ability to make a difference,
When good people like you stand up, speak out against injustice and fight for what is right, we can challenge the unfairness and pave the way for a better future for our sector. Our unique perspective, expertise, and dedication make us a powerful force for change. Don't underestimate that.
By standing up, you are advocating for your patients and their well-being and the integrity of the pharmacy profession. Remember, the collective efforts of good people have historically brought about significant transformations within our sector.
Whether it is advocating for fair healthcare policies, challenging unethical interference from other professions or championing patient rights, your actions matter. Never underestimate the power of your influence as a pharmacist.
Your commitment to doing what is right, even in the face of adversity, can impact the viability of thousands of jobs in our sector, especially women's jobs. Together, let us be the good people who stand up, refuse to accept the unacceptable, and work tirelessly to create a fair policy that is not destructive and is patient centric.
With unwavering belief in your ability to make a difference,
Bad things happen because good people don't stand up.
We want to share a powerful reminder that a fellow Pharmacist shared with us: "Bad things happen because good people don't stand up." As a pharmacist, you have the power to make a difference, not just in the lives of your patients but also in the broader pharmacy sector. It is easy to become disheartened by the challenges and injustices we witness around us. But in these moments, we must remember the importance of taking a stand. Our voice, actions, and advocacy can create a ripple effect that brings about positive change.
When good people like you stand up, speak out against injustice and fight for what is right, we can challenge the unfairness and pave the way for a better future for our sector. Our unique perspective, expertise, and dedication make us a powerful force for change. Don't underestimate that.
By standing up, you are advocating for your patients and their well-being and the integrity of the pharmacy profession. Remember, the collective efforts of good people have historically brought about significant transformations within our sector.
Whether it is advocating for fair healthcare policies, challenging unethical interference from other professions or championing patient rights, your actions matter. Never underestimate the power of your influence as a pharmacist.
Your commitment to doing what is right, even in the face of adversity, can impact the viability of thousands of jobs in our sector, especially women's jobs. Together, let us be the good people who stand up, refuse to accept the unacceptable, and work tirelessly to create a fair policy that is not destructive and is patient centric.
With unwavering belief in your ability to make a difference,
When good people like you stand up, speak out against injustice and fight for what is right, we can challenge the unfairness and pave the way for a better future for our sector. Our unique perspective, expertise, and dedication make us a powerful force for change. Don't underestimate that.
By standing up, you are advocating for your patients and their well-being and the integrity of the pharmacy profession. Remember, the collective efforts of good people have historically brought about significant transformations within our sector.
Whether it is advocating for fair healthcare policies, challenging unethical interference from other professions or championing patient rights, your actions matter. Never underestimate the power of your influence as a pharmacist.
Your commitment to doing what is right, even in the face of adversity, can impact the viability of thousands of jobs in our sector, especially women's jobs. Together, let us be the good people who stand up, refuse to accept the unacceptable, and work tirelessly to create a fair policy that is not destructive and is patient centric.
With unwavering belief in your ability to make a difference,
MISSION
CAPS' mission is to stop the implementation of 60DD, and begin immediate consultation with the Labor Government to bring about positive change mutually beneficial for the Australian public and the Australian pharmacy industry.
We cannot continue the perilous trajectory we are now on, it will be disastrous for all Australians except the people that do not need pharmaceutical care.
COMMIT
AND CONSULT
Making a change for Australian pharmacy
Pharmacists across the country have done everything they can to prove their worth to their communities. We kept our doors open in the midst of a global pandemic, and just a few years later we are losing everything thanks to 60-day dispensing.
Preserving patient care
Our patients don't deserve to deal with the reduced operating hours, staff layoffs, reduction of free services, and all the other cuts that pharmacists have forced (have been forced) to make due to 60-day dispensing. We want to continue to provide the best care to our patients.
Finding a proactive path forward
We know that this inept government has completely mismanaged their approach with the 60-day dispensing policy. Despite this, we are completely open to help them develop policies that will actually benefit both pharmacists and patients throughout the nation as we experience a cost-of-living crisis that the government helps to perpetuate.
Navigating uncertain times together
As we find our own way through the challenges presented to us by 60-day dispensing, CAPS is committed to leaving no one in the pharmacy industry behind. We are all feeling angry and upset, and are forced into making hard decisions. By organising webinars and peaceful protests, we want to bring everyone together to make a difference for our future.
Having Our Say
October
1982
The origins of CAPS began when 40 pharmacists met under the chairmanship of Mr. Fred Taylor, expressing concern that the 25% markup at the time was to be reduced or even abolished. Thus began a unity of pharmacists and community members who strived to preserve the pharmacy industry in order to deliver world-class services to patients, which has continued for decades.
April
2023
Without proper consultation with those within the pharmacy industry, the Federal Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler announced that hundreds of medications will become eligible for 60-day supply from September 2023. Immediately, pharmacists were quick to point out the numerous, obvious problems that this policy displayed, and banded together under the CAPS banner to voice their immeasurable concern at the policy.
17 August
2023
Pharmacists gathered in Sydney for the first CAPS protest, where we were joined by Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and MP Matt Kean who emphatically voiced their support for our cause.
1 September
2023
Despite opposition from pharmacists and the community, 60-day dispensing is implemented by the Albanese Government as a feeble attempt to curb the cost-of-living crisis that continues to plague the country. Pharmacists throughout the country are forced to reduce staff, cut operating hours, and decrease free services.
4 September
2023
Just a few days after 60-day dispensing was implemented, pharmacists from all over Australia descended onto the lawns in front of Parliament House in Canberra. In this peaceful protest, CAPS protesters were joined again by many politicians, such as Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and Nationals Leader David Littleproud. That day, Sussan Ley was ejected from parliament after voicing her support for CAPS.
1 November
2023
Representatives from CAPS outlined their plans for the remainder of 2023 at the first CAPS National Webinar, inviting thousands to attend. Prior to the webinar, Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley visited a number of local pharmacies alongside CAPS leaders to discuss the challenges they are facing.
COMMIT
AND CONSULT
Making a change for Australian pharmacy
Pharmacists across the country have done everything they can to prove their worth to their communities. We kept our doors open in the midst of a global pandemic, and just a few years later we are losing everything thanks to 60-day dispensing.
Preserving patient care
Our patients don't deserve to deal with the reduced operating hours, staff layoffs, reduction of free services, and all the other cuts that pharmacists have forced (have been forced) to make due to 60-day dispensing. We want to continue to provide the best care to our patients.
Finding a proactive path forward
We know that this inept government has completely mismanaged their approach with the 60-day dispensing policy. Despite this, we are completely open to help them develop policies that will actually benefit both pharmacists and patients throughout the nation as we experience a cost-of-living crisis that the government helps to perpetuate.
Navigating uncertain times together
As we find our own way through the challenges presented to us by 60-day dispensing, CAPS is committed to leaving no one in the pharmacy industry behind. We are all feeling angry and upset, and are forced into making hard decisions. By organising webinars and peaceful protests, we want to bring everyone together to make a difference for our future.
Having Our Say
October
1982
The origins of CAPS began when 40 pharmacists met under the chairmanship of Mr. Fred Taylor, expressing concern that the 25% markup at the time was to be reduced or even abolished. Thus began a unity of pharmacists and community members who strived to preserve the pharmacy industry in order to deliver world-class services to patients, which has continued for decades.
April
2023
Without proper consultation with those within the pharmacy industry, the Federal Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler announced that hundreds of medications will become eligible for 60-day supply from September 2023. Immediately, pharmacists were quick to point out the numerous, obvious problems that this policy displayed, and banded together under the CAPS banner to voice their immeasurable concern at the policy.
17 August
2023
Pharmacists gathered in Sydney for the first CAPS protest, where we were joined by Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and MP Matt Kean who emphatically voiced their support for our cause.
1 September
2023
Despite opposition from pharmacists and the community, 60-day dispensing is implemented by the Albanese Government as a feeble attempt to curb the cost-of-living crisis that continues to plague the country. Pharmacists throughout the country are forced to reduce staff, cut operating hours, and decrease free services.
4 September
2023
Just a few days after 60-day dispensing was implemented, pharmacists from all over Australia descended onto the lawns in front of Parliament House in Canberra. In this peaceful protest, CAPS protesters were joined again by many politicians, such as Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and Nationals Leader David Littleproud. That day, Sussan Ley was ejected from parliament after voicing her support for CAPS.
1 November
2023
Representatives from CAPS outlined their plans for the remainder of 2023 at the first CAPS National Webinar, inviting thousands to attend. Prior to the webinar, Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley visited a number of local pharmacies alongside CAPS leaders to discuss the challenges they are facing.
stay informed
Sign up to be the first to hear about how to take action. Stay tuned for information on webinars, protests, and other events.
Pharmacists in Australia
See 1.2 million patients per day.
250,000 hospital admissions annually are a result of medication-related problems costing the tax payer 1.4 billion annually. By destroying community pharmacy in Australia, the government does not care about your loved one.
What is CAPS?
What is CAPS?
What is CAPS' mission?
Why is the government implementing 60-day dispensing, and what are the potential consequences for patients?
How does 60DD legislation affect local pharmacies?
How will the reduced foot traffic and minimised revenue impact pharmacies and patients in need of more medication?
What are some of the free services that have been cut by pharmacists due to the financial pressures caused by 60DD?
What does CAPS think the government should do instead?
How can I show my support for CAPS in their efforts to pause 60DD and advocate for a more equitable policy?
CONTRIBUTE TO THE CAUSE
Join us in our commitment to support the rights of hardworking pharmacists nationwide and inspire the next generation of pharmacy professionals in Australia. Your contribution can make a significant impact on our efforts to advocate for fair policies and ensure the future of a compassionate and effective pharmacy industry.