Leading health and community voices including the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Australian Patients Association, Asthma Australia, Family Planning Alliance Australia, QENDO, Australian Association for Adolescent Health, Wounds Australia, Parents & Citizens Queensland, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and Advanced Pharmacy Australia are calling for bipartisan support to reduce the maximum out-of-pocket cost of prescription medicine to $19 – saving more than 12 million Australians $12.60 on each prescription they fill.
Reducing the cost of medicine for all Australians will ease the cost burden on patients struggling to afford essential medicines in a cost-of-living crisis.
Independent research* reveals 1 in 5 Australians have not filled a prescription due to cost at some point in the past three years. This rises to 1 in 3 for Australians in regional and remote areas and we know it disproportionately impacts women; patients managing chronic conditions; first nations people and carers.
Additional research** from key marginal electorates like Bennelong; Richmond; and Brisbane showed widespread support for reducing the cost of prescriptions. In particular, 79% of men aged 18-34 years back this reform and 69% of all women.
Lowering the PBS co-payment to $19 strikes the right balance between affordability for patients and sustainability for taxpayers, saving Australians $440 million in the first year.
It is a non-inflationary action the government can take immediately, to deliver urgent and effective relief to reduce the cost of living.
This investment in health and wellbeing will reduce pressure on the broader health system and improve national productivity, ultimately delivering long-term benefits for society.
Professor Trent Twomey, National President Pharmacy Guild of Australia says,
“Together with a coalition of patient and community advocates, we’re urging the government to put patients first and reduce the cost of medicine.
“Australians are struggling under the weight of a cost-of-living crisis, and it’s creating a hidden health crisis.
“Thousands of Australians have delayed or gone without prescription medicine in the past three years, sacrificing their health because they couldn’t afford it. This is amplified if you’re a young adult, regional Australian, a woman; a caregiver or someone with a chronic health condition.
“Patients who skip medication risk exacerbating poor health. Poor health puts everything at risk – work and income, education, and the ability to care for yourself and family.
“Community pharmacists across the country know patients’ stories of being forced to make the tough choice between filling scripts and other essentials like rent, groceries, and petrol. Medicine should never be a luxury item. Not in a country as lucky as ours.”
Lisa Robins, CEO Australian Patients Association comments,
“Many Australians are facing significant financial barriers to accessing healthcare, whether it’s the out-of-pocket costs for seeing healthcare professionals or for purchasing prescriptions.
“We need the government to take action to make it easier for people to stay healthy. Lowering the prescription co-payment to $19 would provide crucial relief to millions of Australians who are currently struggling.”
Daile Kelleher, CEO of Family Planning Alliance Australia says,
“We’re on the frontline, and we are currently helping women, who five years ago, never would’ve dreamed of coming to us for help.
“Medication is an essential item. However, for women who are juggling rising rent, grocery and electricity prices, it has become more of a luxury item.
“Without affordable access to prescription medication, young Australian women are sacrificing their autonomy over their sexual and reproductive health just to afford their next meal.”
Jess Taylor, CEO of QENDO comments,
“For too many Australians living with chronic conditions like endometriosis, the cost of prescription medicines is an ongoing burden. No one should have to choose between affording essential medications and covering their daily needs.
“At QENDO, we hear firsthand how high prescription costs impact access to care, forcing patients to delay or forgo treatment that is vital for managing pain and improving quality of life.
“The government has the power to ease this burden, and we strongly urge action to lower the cost of prescriptions so that no one has to suffer unnecessarily.”
Maia Giordano, Executive Officer Australian Association for Adolescent Health (AAAH) states,
“Young people should not have to choose between food and essential medicine. If young people have equitable access to essential medicines to manage their health now, it can set them on a path to positive lifelong health and wellbeing. The period 10 to 25 years is a critical time to build health and wellbeing. Now, more than ever, we must support young people in the health system by reducing costs and thus increasing access to much-needed medicine.”
Jeff Antcliff, CEO Wounds Australia says,
“We know that people spend an average of $4000 a year on managing their chronic wounds, and unfortunately they are often the people who can least afford to bear this expense. That is why it is so important that the vital medications they may rely upon are affordable and accessible.”
Associate Professor Fei Sim, National President, Pharmaceutical Society Australia says,
“Affordable, accessible medicines are key to a healthier population. Pharmacists are united in advocating for more affordable medicines for all Australians, making sure that everyone can access the medicines they need when they need them.
“Reducing the patient co-pay will make care more accessible, reducing the financial burden on families, and ensuring that no one has to choose between their health and their hip pocket.”
Tom Simpson, FANZCAP (Lead&Mgmt), President, Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) states,
“Expanding bulk billing is a great step forward, but if we don’t also address the cost of medicines, more Australians will continue to end up in hospitals unnecessarily. Currently, 250,000 Australians are admitted to hospitals each year due to medication-related issues, some of which can be linked to the cost of medicines. “We applaud the government for making it easier for Australians to visit their GP without relying on their credit card. But if we truly want to reduce hospital admissions, people shouldn’t also have to worry about their bank balance when purchasing essential medicines.”
Scott Wiseman, CEO Parents & Citizens Queensland says,
“As the peak parent body in Queensland representing more than 900,000 state school parents, we know families are struggling with every-day cost-of-living pressures.
“Therefore, any measures that can help families reduce these financial burdens is welcome.
“Health costs, including medicines, shouldn’t impact children’s school attendance because, when it comes to education, every single day matters. This also applies to parents being able to remain productive at work, or when volunteering their valuable time in their school and local communities.
“That’s why P&Cs Qld is supporting this initiative to lower the PBS co-payment to a maximum cost of $19.” Mr Wiseman says.
