LOWERING the maximum PBS co-payment is the most effective way to reduce medicine costs and support Australians struggling with the cost of living, said Pharmacy Guild of Australia President Prof Trent Twomey.
New data from the Commonwealth Government shows that cutting the maximum co-payment is over 11 times more effective in providing cost-of-living relief than other measures.
Lowering the co-payment from $42.50 to $30 (PD 03 Jan 2023) has saved patients $346 million, compared to just $30 million from 60-day dispensing, he said.
Twomey highlighted that the Guild, alongside partners like the Australian Patients Association, campaigned for the historic change - the first in the 75-year history of the PBS.
He noted that despite these savings, many Australians skip essential medicines due to financial pressures, as confirmed by the Australian Healthcare Index survey.
Twomey emphasised that no Australian should have to choose between medicine and other living costs.
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