Pharmacists say they were not consulted on ‘rushed’ Labor-Greens vape deal

Federal health minister counters that Pharmacy Guild did not make submission to regulation inquiry and selling vapes still a decision for individual stores

• Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

The lobby group representing pharmacy owners said its members were “gobsmacked” by a deal between the Greens and Labor which will see vapes sold over-the-counter by pharmacists without a prescription, claiming they only heard the changes via media release after the deal was done.

But the health minister, Mark Butler, downplayed the concerns of the Pharmacy Guild, saying pharmacies were already selling vapes and reassuring owners that selling vapes under the new model will be a decision for individual stores.