Shake-up leads to cheaper medicines for chronic conditions
The good news for seniors includes lower drug prices and fewer GP visits.
Key points
The cost of some medicines will be halved and fewer visits to the doctor needed.
Doctors will be able to prescribe 12 months’ supply of medicines at a time instead of six months.
$50 million boost to COVID-19 research.
In a major shakeup of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 September, many seniors will be able save up to $180 a year on vital medicines.
The changes mean the cost of hundreds of medicines will be halved for people with chronic illness, who will be able to buy 60 days’ worth of medicine for the price of a single prescription.
So, instead of paying $30 for a one-month supply, you will pay $30 for a two-month supply. That’s a saving of $180 a year per medicine.
It might also mean cutting the number of visits to the GP and pharmacists, as doctors will be able to prescribe 12 months’ supply of these medications at a time rather than the current six months.
The reform, which was a recommendation of the clinical experts at the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) in 2018, will benefit people with chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, depression, reflux, ulcerative colitis, heart failure, high cholesterol, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.
The medicines include some drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes, including alogliptin and dapagliflozin, the antibiotic doxycycline for severe acne, beta blockers carvedilol and propranolol for heart issues, and ezetimibe for high cholesterol.
Here's a link to the full list so you can see if your medication is included.
Ultimately, the doctor will make the decision whether to write a script that allows for two months of medicine.
While eligible Australians will be able to buy double the medicine on a single prescription, Health Minister Mark Butler says overall demand for medicines will remain unchanged.
“This reform won’t affect medicine availability and it won’t add to shortages,” his statement reads.
However, pharmacists say there will be more pressure on supplies, which are already stretched.
They fear they may also lose money. Currently, pharmacists receive dispensing fees from the Commonwealth each time medication is sold, but under the changes they’ll be distributing medicine less often, resulting in less revenue.
However, the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) and the Australian Medical Association (AMA) welcome the change, saying it will reduce pressure on overworked GPs and ease cost-of-living pressures for patients.
Research into long COVID has received an extra $50 million in government funding. It’s part of a package of initiatives following a report by a parliamentary inquiry into long COVID and repeat infections.
The report recommended:
- Establishing a better COVID and long COVID data collection system.
- Reviewing antiviral eligibility.
- Providing more support and education for GPs to treat long COVID.
- Developing evidence-based guidelines for diagnosis and treatment.
- Funding state health departments to set up long COVID clinics at public hospitals.
- Setting up an expert panel to advise on the impact of poor indoor air quality and ventilation on the economy.
- Changes to the vaccination communication strategy to emphasise how vaccines can reduce the risk of long COVID.
- Funding more research into myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
- A national summit into Australia’s response to COVID, including long COVID.
About 5% of Australians who contract the virus experience long COVID and are affected by “up to 200 diverse and non-specific symptoms, making recognition and diagnosis challenging”, the report said.
Sources: Minister’s statement, ABC, The Australian, ABC
