Greg Hunt has issued a blunt response to GPs lobbying for the right to own pharmacies, declaring the issue has already been looked at and rejected.

On Tuesday, the AMA launched a campaign to dismantle the rules that prohibit anyone except pharmacists from owning a pharmacy, arguing they served little purpose other than to create unhealthy monopolies.

“Incorporating pharmacy services into general practice, under the ownership of a medical practitioner, would improve patient care,” AMA president Dr Tony Bartone said of the push, which had received the backing of the RACGP.

“Many general practices already provide co-located services with pathology collection centres, and in-house psychologists, physiotherapists, dietitians and podiatrists. Adding pharmacy to the mix would have benefits for patients, pharmacists and GPs.”