Affordable medicine for millions of Australians is a step closer this week as the Federal Government introduced legislation to reduce the cost of PBS prescriptions.
Professor Trent Twomey, National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, lauded the Government's positive action for patients.
"The Government has made affordable medicine a top priority – bringing in the legislation in its first sitting days" he said. "This is great news for 20 million Australians without a concession card who will save a combined $689 million in the next four years."
The co-payment for PBS prescriptions will be reduced to a maximum of $25 from 1 January 2026, down from $31.60. It follows calls from a coalition of more than 20 health and community organisations urging the Government to act to make medicine affordable including The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Patients Australia, Asthma Australia, Family Planning Alliance Australia, QENDO and others.
"Community pharmacies are at the coal face of the tough decisions patients make every day. We hear how they are forced to make the unimaginable choice between their medication and other essentials like rent, groceries and fuel," Professor Twomey said.
"Community pharmacists see the effects of the cost-of-living crisis on patients, with many struggling to afford their medicine. Skipping medication leads to poorer health outcomes – and making medicine more affordable will help us to create healthier communities."
Community pharmacies are the most accessible and convenient primary healthcare destination. All Australian states and territories have now committed to expanding the role of community pharmacists to treat everyday health conditions like school sores, earache and uncomplicated UTIs. This will free up GPs to focus on more complex cases.
