Poorer for co-pay increase
July 28, 2014
THE Grattan Institute has said
the proposed increase to the
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
(PBS) co-payment (PD 14 May) is
the wrong way to save.
In a submission made to the
Senate Standing Committee on
Community Affairs regarding the
proposed increase and restrictions
on access to the safety net, the
Institute said there was strong
evidence that out of pocket costs
for people stopped them getting
healthcare, particularly for copayments
for medicines.
This would result in savings in
the short term but some people
missing out on needed care, it said.
Out of pocket costs for
prescription drugs had tripled
between 1991 and 2007 and the
proposal would see a jump of 15%
in out of pocket patient fees, it said.
The argument that the increase
would stop people from seeking
unnecessary care was “dubious”
particularly when applied to PBS
co-payments, the Institute said.
“PBS co-payments apply to
medicine that a doctor has ordered.
“Unless the doctor is wrong, the
medicine is necessary.”
The Institute suggested other
ways to cut PBS spend, including
saving $580m in matching prices
for 20 drugs in England.
While this would create
challenges for community
pharmacy, it would be manageable
if pharmacists could provide more
services and “if necessary, receive
temporary, targeted industry
support,” it said.
The Pharmacy Guild also made
a submission saying increases
could discourage patients from
taking medication and strategies to
address this should be put in place.
Increases in price signals should
be accompanied by greater
commitment to funding of
medication management services,
it said - to read more, CLICK HERE.
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