i2P E-Magazine started life as a modest newsletter in the year 2000 when the editor found that he had shared concerns with other pharmacists as to where Australian pharmacy was heading.
At that time the Wilkinson Review into pharmacy was nearing completion, and there was a general uneasiness that the economic rationalists advising government were intent on tearing the fabric of pharmacy down, which appeared to be little more than an economic experiment that could destroy pharmacy completely.
Pharmacists in Australia are very competitive among themselves and constantly criticise their leadership and the organisations that represent their interests.
This is normal and healthy, and is much like an extended family-we can punch each other on the nose, but woe betide any intruder outside of the "family" that tries to do the same thing.
When pharmacists share a common concern, they usually unite, but still reserve the right to retain their individualism.
Since Australia's beginnings from the First Fleet in 1788, Australian pharmacy has had to fend off many predators endeavouring to control the sucessful business model it has built up. This currently includes Woolworths/Priceline etc barking at the fringes, plus the global entrants circling around to gobble up each and every opportunity that presents itself.
The model of pharmacy has been been a personal one and has had to grapple with many governments over ownership issues, location issues and the nationalisation of prescription medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), and now perhaps the internationalisation of the PBS through a free trade agreement with the US.
There is nothing free about that type of negotiation, which I personally believe to be an attack on the democratic freedoms that Australians have come to enjoy and know as the "Australian way of life".

Since these attacks started through global entrants, i2P has been at the forefront identifying the threats and opportunities, and endeavouring to support strategies to allow pharmacy to remain strong and healthy and Australian.
It is also apparent that the individualism of pharmacists is being expressed by their being prepared to jump in head first and associate as a Woolworths pharmacist or a Priceline pharmacist or whatever other flavour comes along.
These are people who see weaknesses in the current model of pharmacy, and are prepared to go out and develop new and different niches, and take the associated risks.

It is also a crticism of the leadership, who now needs to unify and fight off challenges in a united fashion. In this, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, have stubbornly refused to come to grips with the 21st century and realise that things have to be done differently.
The rebels will return to the fold when a better model of pharmacy is allowed to evolve.
Not a lot needs to be changed, but those changes will need a revolution inside the PGA because it will have to totally change the way it looks at and services its members.
And individual members have to now realise that by wishing to remain small in structure they are leaving themselves weak and open to attack.

i2P is privileged to carry some very original research prepared by Professor Con Berbatis of Curtin University specifically on supermarkets and pharmacy, both within and without of Australia.
You are recommended to read this material and use it to assist in future decision making, because there will now be little room for error.

Pharmacists can draw little comfort from legislative changes e.g in the Australian Capital Territory, where the Pharmacy Act has suddenly assumed a very protective role.
This is good short-term strategy, but it remains just that.
Governments will eventually lose patience if pharmacy does not get out there and help itself.

Neil Johnston
October 2003

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