Government releases list of cheaper medicines
New dispensing policy will lead to savings on vital drugs to treat heart failure, high cholesterol, blood pressure, osteoporosis and other conditions.
The federal government has confirmed the list of almost 100 common medicines available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) that will become cheaper on 1 September under stage one of its new 60-day dispensing policy.
The list which will be tabled in the Senate this month, includes 92 medicines for a wide range of conditions, including:
• Cardiovascular disease.
• Crohn’s disease.
• Gout.
• Heart failure.
• High cholesterol.
• Hypertension.
• Osteoporosis.
• Ulcerative colitis.
The change means a patient living with a chronic, stable condition will be able to buy two months’ worth of these medicines for the price of a single prescription, rather than the current 30-day supply.
People with a Medicare card buying just one of these medicines will save up to $180 every year. Concession card holders will save $43.80 a year for each eligible medicine.
The change to 60-day dispensing was first recommended by the independent experts at the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) in 2018, but was never implemented.
The PBAC reaffirmed and expanded its recommendation in 2022. The full list of medicines recommended for longer dispensing intervals will include more than 300 common medicines and will be implemented in three stages over 12 months, starting 1 September 2023.
When the scheme is fully implemented, at least six million Australians will halve their medicine costs and need fewer visits to the GP to get the medicines they use the most, easing the cost of living and putting millions back into the pockets of Australian patients.
The decision to write a script with two months’ worth of medicine will be made by a patient’s GP or other prescriber, based on their professional clinical judgement.
The option to prescribe a one-month supply remains.
The government says the new arrangements are supported by the Consumer Health Forum, the Heart Foundation, the Lung Foundation, Breast Cancer Network, and by all major doctors’ associations, including the Rural Doctors Association, Australian Medical Association and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, among others.
However, some pharmacists have opposed the change, saying it could lead to shortages of some medicines and impact patient care.
The Pharmacy Guild has conducted a campaign, including robocalls, in which it says the changes may send some community pharmacies broke.
National Seniors Australia has supported the initiative but called for its slow implementation to mitigate the impact on pharmacists.
Health Minister Mark Butler said, “Every year, nearly a million Australians are forced to delay or go without a medicine that their doctor has told them is necessary for their health.
“The Government is delivering cheaper medicines through 60-day dispensing for more than six million Australians. This will halve the cost of medicines for millions of Australians, including pensioners, who are living with a chronic condition."
Mr Butler said the government would continue to work with the pharmacy sector on the implementation of the policy.
“Australian pharmacies already do much more than just dispense medicine and the Government is supporting our trusted pharmacists to play an even bigger role in the healthcare of Australians,” he said.
Related reading: ABC
