For the first time in its 75-year history, the maximum cost of general scripts under the Pharmaceutical
Benefits Scheme (PBS) looks set to fall.

Corangamite pharmacists have welcomed the news.

Under a Bill debated in Federal Parliament this week, from 1 January 2023 patients would pay almost 30 per cent less for PBS scripts, with the maximum general co-payment dropping from $42.50 to $30. Federal Member for Corangamite, Libby Coker MP, said Labor had made it a clear priority to address the cost of living and the National Health Amendment (General Co-payment) Bill 2022 would deliver on that commitment.

“What we have heard is that people are having to choose between food on the table or their prescription medicine and that’s not acceptable,” Ms Coker said.

“I’m really pleased we have introduced this legislation – it will make a direct difference to people’s lives. It should never be a choice between food on the table, paying the energy bill or looking after your health,” she said.

The maximum cost to general patients for PBS medications has doubled since 2000. Labor’s Bill means that someone taking one medication a month could save as much as $150 every year, or for two or three medications, as much as $300-$450 a year. Drysdale Pharmacist Chris Walsh said the Bill was a big first step towards ensuring medicines were more affordable.

“Community pharmacy is on the frontline and we can see how people are struggling to afford their prescription medicines,” Mr Walsh said.

“Some of my families with chronic illness forgo their own health needs in order to pay for necessary medications for their children and Covid has also added an extra burder on the entire community’s health needs,” he said.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics advises that the high costs of medications meant close to 1 million Australians delayed or didn’t fill their medications in 2019-20.

“We must do better than this and we will,” said Ms Coker.