THE Dept of Health and Aged Care's Pharmacy kit - PBS medicines with increased dispensing quantities is now available, HERE, for all community pharmacists (PD Breaking News yesterday).
The 10-page kit provides information, FAQs and case studies to pharmacists about changes to PBS medicines with increased dispensing quantities (60-day dispensing).
In answering a key question - what if your pharmacy only has one box of medicine? The Dept has clearly warned that "pharmacists, in exercising flexibility, must not charge a patient twice if providing half of the prescribed quantity".
"If there is only one box of a medicine available and the prescription requires two boxes, pharmacists may dispense the full amount (two boxes) according to the prescription, and order in a second box of medicine from the medicine wholesaler.
"For most medicines, wholesalers are required to deliver to any pharmacy within 24 hours.
"The consumer would then collect the second box of medicine without charge when the pharmacy receives it.
"The consumer must not pay the co-payment twice."
However, the Dept has stated, "where a brand price premium or a therapeutic group premium applies, two packs (usually two months' supply) of medicines will attract two premiums".
The 60-DD policy does not change the flexibility that pharmacists already have in amending a script if needed, and where necessary, by contacting the prescriber.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 05 Jul 23
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