I have recently returned from Papua New Guinea and was shocked to hear the reported comments from Trent Twomey, the President of the Pharmacy Guild and the co-owner of a number of pharmacies.

The Pharmacy Guild is an extremely powerful and wealthy business group that has been responsible over many years in influencing successive governments to prop up a failed business model, which has continued a high cost to patients of medications and other treatments.

Further, they have extremely inefficient prescribing habits where patients who have been stable on medication are forced to engage with pharmacies on a monthly basis to support the business model of the owners.

There are also location rules prohibiting the opening of new pharmacies despite need.

It is time the Pharmacy Guild allowed open competition, efficiency and medication availability in their industry and to be honest with the Australian public about their industry.

Health professionals need to act in the best interest of their patients and to support one of the best health systems in the world, which is now at a crossroads as we look to 21^st century health care practices.