SIGN, Chemist

White sign printed boldly in red "HAWKE / IS PUTTING / YOUR HEALTH / AT RISK! / AUTHORISED BY H. ZAFER FOR THE COMMUNITY / AND PHARMACY SUPPORT GROUP (W.A.)". It was one displayed by most chemists in Western Australia in 1989 in response to a government proposal to make radical changes to the National Health Scheme, including reduced benefits for pharmacists. The protest was Australia-wide but nowhere more effective than in Western Australia where opposition was so unified and vociferous that Prime Minister Hawke invited a delegation from this state to discuss concerns. As a result, the government's intentions were modified. The campaign represented the views of all pharmacists in W.A., members of the Pharmacy Guild, the Pharmaceutical Council of W.A and for a time (it not being of such immediate relevance), the Society of Hospital Pharmacists. However, the campaign was directed by a group referred to, in the trade, as the "Pharmacy W.A." group with Zafer a prominent member. On the reverse of the sign is a computer printed label: "NORTH BASSENDEAN PHARMACY / 71 WALTER ROAD / BASSENDEAN W.A. 6054 / GEOFF NEWALL"; the sign was displayed at this pharmacy. (Information from the Pharmaceutical Council of WA.)

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