Pretoria - The Pharmacy Stakeholders Forum (PSF) on Tuesday welcomed the publication of the draft dispensing fee following months of research and discussion.
"While the PSF notes the proposed dispensing fee with appreciation, there are still technical issues that need to be analysed before a final conclusion as to the fee's suitability is formulated," the forum's Sham Moodley said in a statement.
During the past year, the pricing committee had engaged constructively with the PSF in evaluating all factors that contributed to the establishment of a reasonable dispensing fee.
The forum was satisfied the process had been appropriate and that due consideration was given to submissions made to the pricing committee.
The draft regulations introduce a tiered structure that would not prejudice purchasers of lower priced medicines.
If all medicine sales were considered, the proposed fee would generate an average income to pharmacists of R38.
"If the target of R38 is not achieved, the dispensing fee will have a negative impact on the income of pharmacists, and will again threaten the continued viability of community pharmacies," forum coordinator Ivan Kotze said in the statement.
"While the PSF notes the proposed dispensing fee with appreciation, there are still technical issues that need to be analysed before a final conclusion as to the fee's suitability is formulated," the forum's Sham Moodley said in a statement.
During the past year, the pricing committee had engaged constructively with the PSF in evaluating all factors that contributed to the establishment of a reasonable dispensing fee.
The forum was satisfied the process had been appropriate and that due consideration was given to submissions made to the pricing committee.
The draft regulations introduce a tiered structure that would not prejudice purchasers of lower priced medicines.
If all medicine sales were considered, the proposed fee would generate an average income to pharmacists of R38.
"If the target of R38 is not achieved, the dispensing fee will have a negative impact on the income of pharmacists, and will again threaten the continued viability of community pharmacies," forum coordinator Ivan Kotze said in the statement.