Dr Aarielle McLaren talks prescription changes and Medicare reforms

"For starters it is not physically possible to deliver their proposal," she said.

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"We already have critical medications disappearing from our pharmacy shelves and that is with 30-day dispensing; 60-day dispensing will only compound the issue."

The government announced recently it would allow people to buy two months' worth of subsidised medicines on a single prescription, rather than two separate prescriptions.

More than 300 medicines will be on the list including treatment for conditions such as heart disease, cholesterol, Crohn's disease and hypertension.

The medicines will be phased in during three stages, with the first on September 1.

However, Dr McLaren of The Practice at Bundanoon remains unconvinced. She said patients and pharmacists regularly contacted medical practitioners for alternate options to out of stock medications.

"So not only do we not have the stock to supply 60 days dispensing but we will be creating more work for pharmacists and GPs as they scramble to source or switch medications," Dr McLaren said.

The new program was also unlikely to reduce demand on GP appointments, according to Dr McLaren.

"Most scripts for chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol on the pharmaceutical benefits scheme are routinely prescribed as a script with five repeats, which enables the patient enough scripts for 6 months," she said.

Dr McLaren explained that this allowed for patients to pick up their medications for a six-month period without a doctor review.

"Although the patient picks up their medications monthly they don't need to return to the GP," she said.

"Scripts that are given monthly are given monthly for a reason such as strong analgesia so that the patient can be reviewed and safe use of the medication is ensured."

Dr McLaren instead called for Medicare reform to be the at the top of the government's agenda.

"I applaud our politicians for recognising this however those who are on the ground delivering and using these services need to be consulted to identify the issues and work together to solve the problems," she said.

"We need to be listening to our GPs, specialists, hospitals, pharmacists, allied health and most importantly the patients who rely on the services provided."

Dr McLaren said the government also announced additional funding to "incentivise" doctors into working longer hours.

"The Highlands already has a superb after hours service where local GPs provide a 24/7 phone service and face-to-face clinic on weekends and public holidays," Dr McLaren said.

"It helps to reduce the unnecessary load on an already heaving service."

That the government does not acknowledge the existence of these services was "a little offensive" to Dr McLaren who called for financial compensation for doctors working long hours.

"Doctors rostered to after hours services are already battle weary," she said.

ALSO READ: Moss Vale Medical Centre GP Vincent Roche on prescription changes

"They're answering late night calls from nursing homes and finishing their administrative work from their home office late at night.

"I encourage the public - the patients - to speak up. People need to tell their local members what they need from the health system; and what Medicare changes they would benefit from," Dr McLaren said.

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