The people of Port Stephens are being forced to often pay double the cost of medications than their city counterparts, forcing some residents to travel long distances to save on pills that are keeping them alive.
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A recent comprehensive survey of regional NSW towns (including Port Stephens) by Thread agency, acting on behalf of Chemist Warehouse, found that some residents were paying up to five times the price for common prescription and over the counter medications.
One Mile couple Gary and Lorraine Revell say they regularly drive to Newcastle to fill a prescription in order to access cheaper prices.
Following bypass surgery in 2014, 63-year-old retiree Gary Revell is currently on seven different medications. He considers himself lucky to be alive.
"It was a bit of shock. I thought I was quite healthy, I never smoked or drank, I was not overweight and my cholesterol was normal. However, I did have high blood pressure and during a routine stress test doctors diagnosed a blocked artery. I was told I could have dropped dead at any time."
Following bypass surgery, Mr Revell was put on a series of medications to lower blood pressure, cholesterol and the like and was told he could live for another 30-plus years "provided I take this cocktail of pills".
At the time, the Revells were still living in Sydney where the competition among pharmacies was strong and the combined cost of medication was around $50 a month.
"However, when we moved to Port Stephens two years ago where the competition is not so fierce, the bill doubled to about $100 a month.
"So in order to save that $50 we make the 80km round trip to Newcastle, or if we are travelling through Sydney or another major city, we plan it so that we can stock up on medication."
So in order to save that $50 we make the 80km round trip to Newcastle.
- Gary Revell
The Revells say they are fortunate to be able to afford the trips into Newcastle, "but what about those pensioners or ill residents who do not have the time or resources to travel into the city".
"Port Stephens is an ageing population and medications are often life saving."
The Thread survey also found that 55 per cent of regional people had previously delayed buying medication for financial reasons and 57 per cent had travelled to another town to visit a pharmacy to access cheaper prices.
The findings come as Health Minister Greg Hunt is negotiating a new five-year agreement with the powerful Pharmacy Guild, which has previously opposed reforms that would enable greater competition and a fairer deal for local families.
