DOCTORS BOYCOTT FREE MEDICINE SCHEME
SYDNEY, June 2. A newspaper check of Sydney chemists after the first day of the new free medicine scheme revealed that only two Government forms were presented to chemists by the doctors. The chemists believe that the publicIs still confused by the free medicine scheme and that the boycott by doctors has rendered it almost completely inoperative. In Victoria some doctors are using the Government formulary but most are proceeding as if the scheme were not in existence. Few patients are asking about free medicine. In South Australia, opposition by the British Medical Association is almost complete and only one chemist admits filling prescriptions from the free medicine forms. The Federal scheme has not so far operated in Tasmania. Under the State health scheme introduced some years ago the Tasmanian Government imposed no restrictions on the formulary under which 17 doctors are engaged by the Government to dispense medicine. In Sydney the provincial Trades and Labour Council delegates will meet shortly to discuss union action against the doctors who will not take part in the scheme.
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Bibliographic details
Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22654, 3 June 1948, Page 5
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181DOCTORS BOYCOTT FREE MEDICINE SCHEME Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22654, 3 June 1948, Page 5
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