Described as the single most significant change to the cost of medicines since the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) was introduced 75 years ago, legislation has passed that will cut the maximum general co-payment on PBS medicines from $42.50 to $30 per prescription.
Welcoming the decision, the National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Professor Trent Twomey says this legislation is the result of strong advocacy by the Guild on behalf of patients.
“As primary healthcare workers, community pharmacists have for some time been hearing patients say they simply cannot afford their medicines,” Professor Twomey said.
“Increasingly, people are being faced with the horrible decision of having to decide who in the family will go without their medicines in order to put food on the table or pay their bills.
“The Guild and community pharmacies have advocated strongly on behalf of patients for a reduction of the cost of medicines and today we thank the Federal Government for taking action that was promised as part of Labor’s election commitment.
“The reduction in the co-payment is a 30% saving on the cost of each prescription. It means an individual will save $150 a year for one monthly script, or $300-$450 a year for two to three scripts a month. This is an annual saving of almost $200 million, which will be put back into the pockets of Australians.”
Professor Twomey says making medicines more affordable will help reduce medication non-adherence, either by taking less of the medicine than prescribed or not having the prescription filled at all.
“This will help reduce medicine non-adherence which directly contributes to higher healthcare costs, including preventable hospital admissions and readmission,” he said.
“In addition to increasing the universality of the access to medicines, this is a big step in addressing the cost of living pressures and I congratulate the Government on acting so quickly to fulfil this election promise.”
The Guild partnered with a coalition of health bodies including the Australian Patients Association, Chronic Pain Australia and Musculoskeletal Australia to advocate on behalf of their patients.
CEO of the Australian Patients Association Stephen Mason says the success of the campaign will benefit thousands of needy patients who cannot afford their prescription medications but will now benefit when the cuts commence on 1 January 2023.
Musculoskeletal Australia (MSK) CEO Rob Anderson says MSK has heard from people contacting its National Helpline that, with regular housing interest rate increases and the increasing cost of living pressures, they are struggling to afford the medicines they need to manage their conditions.
The reduction in the patient co-payment is a priority and MSK applauds the Government for the steps taken with the passing of this legislation.
President of Chronic Pain Australia, Fiona Hodson says the reduction in the co-payment will be welcome news to the one in five Australians living with chronic pain as medicine affordability is a key issue for these patients who have to manage complex and chronic conditions.
