THE fifth Australian Healthcare Index (AHI) Jun 2023, a bi-annual survey by Healthengine and the Australian Patients Association, with more than 10,000 respondents, reports a continuing decline in satisfaction with Australia's healthcare system.
The data suggests that this can primarily be attributed to dissatisfaction about the decline in bulk billing (71% of respondents), Medicare not covering a wide enough range of care (67%), and long wait times (66%).
Assuringly, two in three said they have a regular pharmacy/pharmacist and it's the pharmacy team which is driving customer satisfaction with 71% of customers recommending a pharmacy or pharmacist, and the top reasons being helpful staff (71%), reasonable wait times to fill scripts (62%), and being open on weekends and/or evenings (58%).
It's no surprise that 80% of people get their prescription and OTC meds in pharmacy, but one in three also get medication advice, while one in five get healthcare advice in-store.
One in four also head into a pharmacy to get their vaccinations.
Interestingly, 14% of people first contact their pharmacist before making a GP appointment due to the current out-of-pocket costs.
The survey confirmed that one in four, up 27%, and 5% from last Nov, are skipping their scripts with the highest group being 18-34-year-olds at 42%, reflecting that people have to make hard choices between medicines and other life expenses.
Only one in three said the drop in cost of co-payments from $42.50 to $30 has made a difference to their affordability to buy medicines.
However, one in three people surveyed said it didn't make a difference with 54% saying the prescription medicine they need isn't on the PBS, and worryingly 27% said their co-payment of $30 was not affordable for them.
The AHI survey was conducted prior to the 60-day dispensing announcement.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 31 May 23
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