The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has launched a quick-fire campaign against 60-day dispensing, including a petition that has garnered 20,000 signatures in less than a week.

Last Wednesday, the Federal Government announced that GPs would be granted the option of writing double-length scripts for 325 medicines, such as statins and PPIs.  

While the rollout will be staggered, it means pharmacists will receive half the normal dispensing fees for each drug that comes under the new policy.

One day before the official announcement, the guild registered a website titled Essential Medicine Shortages, designed by marketing company Curious Minds Media.