Australians could save $180 every year on common medications thanks to a major prescription rule change, set to be introduced in September.
Health Minister Mark Butler announced on Wednesday that patients will be able to buy double their supply of some prescription medicines at once.
More than 320 treatments will be distributed in 60 -day doses- instead of the current 30 – but will still be subject to current price caps.
So, instead of paying a maximum of $30 for a 30-day medication supply, Aussies will soon pay $30 at most for a 60-day supply.
Those with a concession card are set to pay as little as $7.30 for two months of prescribed medicine.
Australians will soon be able to buy 60 days worth of prescription medication at once, for the same price as a 30-day supply
Health Minister Mark Butler (above) announced the prescription rule change on Wednesday
One of the ideas behind it is that patients will not have to visit a doctor as often.
The policy is largely aimed at those with chronic conditions who spend a lot on treatments.
People could save up to $180 a year, if their medicine can be prescribed for 60 days rather than 30, or more if their other medicines qualify for the prescription change.
Included medications on the list are for conditions such as heart disease, cholesterol, Crohn’s disease and hypertension.
The move has been long debated by Labor and rejected by the Pharmacy Guild who say the change would cost community chemists $3.5billion.
Pharmacy Guild of Australia president Trent Twomey said the changes could lead to further medicine shortages for patients.
‘I’m all for cost-of-living relief and a cost-of-living measure but this, unfortunately, is just smoke and mirrors,’ he told ABC TV on Wednesday.
‘If you don’t have the medicine in stock, how do you give double nothing? Double nothing is still nothing.’
Doctor Nick Coatsworth also agreed the new policy could lead to crippling medication shortages across Australia.
‘The medication shortage issue is not made up. This policy could lead to Australians turning up to pharmacies and being turned away for medications they’ve been on for five-to-10 years,’ he told Today.
‘I’m actually worried about this, it looks good at face value but I knew a lot about supply chains in Covid and Australians probably aren’t quite aware of how ropey those supply chains are.
‘If we start giving people 60 days of medications instead of 30, people will miss out.’
However, the new 60-day prescription has been supported by the Australian Medical Association with vice-president Danielle McMullen welcoming the change.
‘At the time we’re talking about so many cost-of-living pressures, this will really ease the burden on patients across Australia,’ she told Seven’s Sunrise program.
‘There are some situations of shortages in medicines at the moment but there will be a staged approach to this announcement to ease the burden on the shortages.’
Health Minister Mark Butler explained the change will be launched in three stages, each introducing roughly 100 medications scheme.
The first stage will begin on September 1 this year, followed by the second on March 1 next year and the final round on September 1, 2024.
More information will become available on the government’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme website later today.
The Albanese Government hasn’t yet released the actual cost of the scheme but said more information will be in its upcoming budget.
Butler said 60-day prescriptions will address the issue of Australians delaying or going without medicines they need due to high costs
Butler said the new prescriptions will reduce how often those living in rural communities need to travel for treatments and address the issue of Australians delaying or going without medicines they need due to high costs.
‘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,’ he said.
‘This cheaper medicines policy is safe, good for Australians’ hip pockets and most importantly good for their health.’
During a press conference on Wednesday, Butler also rejected the idea that the scheme will cause widespread shortages – noting only seven medications on its list are currently scarce.
Doctors will still be able to choose to write a prescription for a one-month supply for patients, rather than two.
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