Treasury documents have revealed that an estimated $70 million dollars could line the pockets of big businesses as the government aims to abolish $5 dollar prescription charges.

Discount pharmacies such as Chemist Warehouse already paid the fees themselves—offering free prescriptions to bring in customers— and a result, chains would simply be receiving free money from the Government without it affecting the running of their business.  

Despite this, independent pharmacies have found the removal of the fee to be a positive change overall.

Independent pharmacist Clive Cannons said that since the $5 fee was dropped, people have actually returned to collecting their prescriptions from independent pharmacies as opposed to the chains.

He said that they now have more time to discuss health and medicine with their patrons, providing a higher level of care.

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