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In less than 10 years, nearly 100 Chemist Warehouses and Bargain Chemists have opened across the country - so where does that leave local pharmacies?
New 12-month prescription rules came into force this weekend, saving time and cutting GP visits for patients - but community pharmacists warn they are the latest in a raft of changes in a sector that is struggling to survive.
The rules mean that people with long-term, stable conditions can now get prescriptions of up to a year from their prescriber, which the government says could save up to $105 in GP fees annually.
Pakuranga pharmacist Vicky Chan says the change has no financial impact on her business but it adds to the hours of unseen, unpaid work she and other community pharmacists do.
"There will be more clinical r
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