Federal Budget 2024-2025 will put a hold on increases in PBS co-payments for pharmacy patients.
The Federal Budget handed down tonight by Treasurer Jim Chalmers revealed that as part of the Eighth Community Pharmacy Agreement, there will be a one-year freeze on the maximum Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) patient co-payment for all Medicare cardholders.
It was also announced that the agreement would be supported by up to an additional $3 billion in funding.
Furthermore, pensioners and other concession cardholders will benefit from a five-year freeze on these payments.
Under this new arrangement, no pensioner or concession card holder will pay more than $7.70 (plus any applicable manufacturer premiums) for their PBS-listed medicines for up to five years.
This measure is designed to help alleviate the financial burden of healthcare expenses for these groups.
More details in tomorrow’s issue of Pharmacy Daily.
