Government cuts threaten Waiouru pharmacy

Ruapehu Bulletin, 11 August 1992, Page 8

Government cuts threaten Waiouru pharmacy

By Jan Savell Patient charges and the Government cuts in dispensary profitability which came into effect on 1 August will have a serious effect on the viability of Waiouru's pharmacy. The pharmacy guild has calculated the cuts will cost the average pharmacy $18,000 per year - or 77 cents less per prescription. Waiouru Chemist Bruce Wilde said this is more than the business can stand. "A rural phanqacy like ours relies heavily on prescriptions, especially in Waiouru," said Mr Wilde. But he is ready to point out that government cuts aren't the only thing causing problems for small rural pharmacies.

"People don't seem to want to shop locally" he said. The pharmacy is in competition with door-to-door sellers of jewellery, cosmetics, diet supplements and herbal products. "I am not complaining. It is a different commercial world out there now," he said. "But what people have got to rrealise is that you can't have it both ways. It is fine to do your shopping in Palmerston North or Wanganui but you can't expect to still be able to pop up the road for a prescription". "Door-to-door sellers don't have the overheads that a pharmacy business has." Mr Wilde said the business of the Waiouru pharmacy business would be similar to that

of the Raetihi or Ohakune pharmacy, yet Waiouru's population equals the combined populations of Raetihi and Ohakune. "It is only the Army's generous rent agreement that keeps this place going. With the presfcription subsidy cuts even this may not be enough". Waiouru's chemist isn't alone in speaking out for the small town retailer. Waiouru's butcher, Wayne Treweek, will no longer be opening on Saturday momings. "It just wasn't worth it. On the last Saturday we had just six people in between 9am and noon." Wayne introduced the Saturday opening because customers were

asking for it but says he cannot continue it without the support of the community. He also warns people of the consequences of buying from hawkers. "We will be here all the time, but the guys who sell off the back of their vans are taking the

money out of the community. They don't put the money back in and who knows if they'll still be visiting next year. There is no commitment". Wayne said local businesses can't compete on price with high

volume city organisations with lower overheads but what they do offer is service and convenience. He echoed Bruce Wilde's comments about the Army support which keeps him serving the Waiouru community. "If I had to pay what

Dad pays in Ohakune for rent it would be all over" he said. The Army Training Group are presently reviewing their policy on licensing for commercial operators working in Waiouru.