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Cheaper access to lifesaving medications
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has expressed its support for the federal government’s decision to make medicines more affordable and easier to access. Health and to 60 days’ worth for more than 320 medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefts Scheme. This will halve the dispensing fees for the medicines.
Currently, patients are limited to a 28- or 30-day supply, forcing
September, will save patients up to $180 a year on medications for chronic conditions like heart disease and hypertension.
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said it was a momentous day more important time to save patients money and time,” she said. “This announcement shows the tide is fnally turning.”
The RACGP President was also quick to address any potential concerns from the Pharmacy Guild, noting that there was no evidence of a shortage of the medications included in the announcement. “A recent Westpac report found that pharmacies are reaping record profts,” she said. “Some pharmacy owners may be concerned that they will lose retail sales; however, at the end of the day cheaper access to lifesaving medications must come before retail sales, it’s as simple as that.” which stops pharmacies from discounting medicines that cost more than the current copayment of $30.
The RACGP President also said that overhauling Australia’s anti-competitive pharmacy ownership and location laws would be benefcial, as it would help to reduce costs for patients.
Overall, the RACGP President expressed her enthusiasm for the government’s decision and said that today is a great day for Australian patients. “The tide is turning, and patient well-being is front and centre – right where it should be,” she said. “Let’s go even further and extend the length of prescriptions for patients with stable chronic conditions. Mark my words, this is just the beginning.” The results of a poll of more than 1,000 GPs, which asked whether their patients would beneft from doubling dispensing times to 60 days, found that 85% said “yes”.
Aged Care Minister
Mark Butler announced today that the amount of medicine a pharmacy can dispense to a patient will be doubled to up them to take multiple trips to the pharmacy for medications for stable conditions. The changes, which will come into effect on 1 for patients. “Cost of living pressures are placing tremendous strain on households across Australia, so there has never been a
Dr Higgins further called on the nation’s leaders to remain steadfast and focus on what’s best for the patient. She said there is still plenty of work to be done, including extending the length of prescriptions for patients with stable chronic conditions and revising the $1 discount rule,
