Trangie pharmacist, Colin Best says job losses are just the tip of the iceberg if proposed changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) are introduced by Federal Government.

Under planned changes, pharmacies will be required to dispense 60 days (if requested) of medication for commonly used medicines, rather than the current 30 day supply.

While innocuous on the surface, Mr Best and fellow pharmacist says the repercussions for small pharmacies will be disastrous.

"At the moment, on a $30 script, the government pays a dispensing fee plus a markup to pharmacies. Now, with two scripts being filled at once, that margin is no longer there," Mr Best said.

"The government is trying to liken the scheme to that in other countries but in different countries, pharmacists have more autonomy than we have here. If this scheme is introduced, staff cut backs will be inevitable, and closure of some pharmacies will be highly likely."

While not all customers will opt for 60 day scripts, Mr Best said the majority of the medications on the list of eligibility is 80 to 90 per cent of the drugs that regional pharmacies dispense.

"It is a significant cut in income for pharmacies," Mr Best said. " While government reports suggest the cut will only be 1.5 per cent, more realistically it is 30 - 40 per cent."

Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton has also weighed in on the argument.

“Pharmacies in small towns rely on the regularity of prescriptions and contact with their customers to operate. The current system also allows them to provide extra support such as blood pressure checks, blood sugar testing and other services which make a difference for people managing chronic illnesses."

Member for Parkes Mark Coulton outside Gilgandra Pharmacy. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler has refused to provide a guarantee that no patient and no community pharmacy will be worse off under the Government’s 60-day medicine policy.

"The Pharmacy Guild have been heavily behind pharmacists with their support," Sara McCarthy , pharmacist from Narromine Pharmacy said. "It's so frustrating as government don’t seem to understand the disastrous implications on rural health. The potential flow on effects of customers not coming into a pharmacy for two months are huge."

"We work so hard to have good relationships with locals, if this policy is introduced, it will be heart breaking. It's not about money, it's about community. If government passes this legislation, we will be forced to charge for what are now free services, like blood pressure testing, weighing babies and general health advice. We know our community and enjoy regular chats. If we don’t see customers for two months, who knows what might have happened?"

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia have been vocal in opposing the introduction of the scheme with President, Professor Trent Twomey saying millions of patients would be worse off because the proposal guaranteed medicine shortages across the country.

“If the Federal Government proceeds with this proposal, everyday prescription medicine will be put into severe shortages lasting months, not days or weeks. Everyday prescription medicine will be put into severe shortages lasting months. I am very concerned for Australian patients and big shortages will hit common medicines that treat cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, depression, anxiety, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease to name just a few," he said.

 While it's not a "done deal", and with no updates in the budget that was released this week, the proposed scheme is scheduled to be implemented in September. It was earlier, except for strong advocacy put up by the Pharmacy Guild that pressured the start date to be delayed for nine months.

Both Ms McCarthy and Mr Best agree the clinical implications are terrible and break the communication and trust held between regional pharmacists and their customers.

"It's really disturbing," Ms McCarthy said. "I have reached out to Narromine Mayor, Craig Davies who is also Chair of Alliance of Western Councils. He has been an amazing help and advocated passionately for issues specific to rural NSW. The problem is this ruling is at a federal level and there's not a lot he can do."

While they agree the potential effects are huge for the Western Plains area, both pharmacists hope the proposed regulations will not be passed.

"It is a disaster for local jobs and, community health care. The simple facts are, we can’t service our towns, not matter how much we love them, if we can't make money."