Discount Drug Stores to offer full PBS discount
January 6, 2016
FOLLOWING suit with Chemist
Warehouse’s one dollar pledge last
month (PD 14 Dec 15); Discount
Drug Stores has announced that
it too will be passing on the full
markdown to consumers on all
eligible prescriptions due to recent
changes to the Pharmaceutical
Benefits Scheme (PBS).
However, Discount Drug Stores
executive general manager Doug
Kuskopf-Dallas says though
they are offering the discount
to benefit consumers, he is still
encouraging the public to consider
their own circumstances as
taking the discount could actually
disadvantage some.
“That’s why Discount Drug Stores
is taking a more tailored approach
and encouraging customers to
speak with their pharmacist to
discuss their options.
“It’s about empowering our
customers so they can make
informed decisions about what’s
best for their situation.”
Combatting the Government’s
decision to de-list many over-the-
counter medications such
as Panadol Osteo and Panamax
from the PBS Scheme, Kuskopf-
Dallas said Discount Drug Store
pharmacies have priced their over-the-
counter medications better
than ever to offset the impact.
“Through our competitive pricing
and by passing on the full one
dollar discount, Discount Drug
Stores will be able to alleviate costs
for the most vulnerable in the
community,” he added.
MEANWHILE North Queensland’s
largest independent pharmacy
group, Calanna Pharmacy, is
warning that GlaxoSmithKline’s
decision to hike up the price of
Panadol Osteo by 50% following
its removal from the PBS scheme
(PD 04 Jan 16), may be the first in a
series of surges to hit consumers.
Group general manager Matthew
Calanna said Panadol Osteo was
used by up to 50% of their patients
and the changes were leaving them
“significantly out of pocket”.
“When a manufacturer doesn’t
have the certainty of volume from
the PBS, there is no doubt they
will be evaluating how sustainable
their current pricing models are,”
he said.
“Unfortunately that is not good
news for consumers because they
are now experiencing a double
whammy and this may not be the
only price hike we will see.”
Federal Health Minister
Sussan Ley slammed GSK’s price
increase this week, vowing to
take the matter to the Australian
Competition and Consumer
Commission for investigation.
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