Baldivis Square Pharmacy given go-ahead to sell medication at PBS-listed prices after five-year battle

A local pharmacy in Perth’s southern suburbs will finally be allowed to supply medication listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme after half a decade of advocating to the Federal Government. The Baldivis Square Pharmacy has been campaigning since its opening in 2018 to be issued a Medicare provider number so it could offer customers medication at subsidised PBS rates. The pharmacy is located in one of the suburb’s main community centres, Baldivis Square, but despite past attempts to register for a Medicare provider number, the Federal Government had twice rejected its applications. Local residents — some with limited mobility — had been forced to travel further away to get their medications at more affordable prices. Owners Nimesh Adatia and Andrea Milani began subsiding customers’ medication out of their own pocket in the interim, something Mr Adatia said said was unsustainable long-term. As word spread about the pharmacy’s struggle to get a provider number, community members began raising the matter with member for Baldivis Reece Whitby, whose electorate office is also located in Baldivis Square, to see how he could assist with the process. A community petition located at the pharmacy — not online — garnered more than 1000 signatures in only three weeks. With support from the community, the other businesses in the Square, Mr Whitby’s office and Federal Member for Brand Madeleine King’s office, Mr Adatia and Mr Milani submitted a third application to the new Albanese Government. Third time lucky, the pharmacy owners were given the green light. Mr Adatia and Mr Milani were thrilled to finally receive their accreditation and thanked the community, Mr Whitby and Ms King for their assistance throughout the five-year battle. “We had a strong community need and strong support for Baldivis Square Pharmacy to be PBS approved,” Mr Adatia said. Mr Adatia said Mr Whitby and Ms King had the “interests of the community at heart” and campaigned alongside the pharmacy to achieve the eventual outcome. “We are grateful for the support,” he said. Mr Whitby said it was a “terrific result for the local community” as the new arrangements would mean access to cheaper medications for those who needed it most. “The residents and local businesses around Baldivis Square have raised their concerns with me regarding the lack of pharmacies in their area that can sell subsidised medications and this news will be very pleasing to them,” he said. The local member said concession card holders would “benefit enormously” from having a pharmacy with a Medicare provider number closer to home.