EFFORTS to make medicine more affordable for Australians are paying off, with the government pledging to cap co-payments on PBS-listed prescriptions at $25 if it is re-elected this year (PD breaking news).
The $6.60 co-payment reduction was formally announced this morning at the opening of the Australian Pharmacy Professional (APP) Conference on the Gold Coast.
"This will keep people healthier and prevent serious complications resulting from patients not taking their essential medicine," said Pharmacy Guild of Australia President, Trent Twomey.
For Australians holding a health or concession card, their medicines co-payment will remain frozen at $7.70 until at least 2030.
The lower price will come into effect in Jan 2026 if the government is re-elected, with prices to then rise annually based on indexation.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the last time Australians paid no more than $25 for a PBS medicine was over 20 years ago.
"Cheaper medicines are good for the hip pocket and good for your health," Minister Butler said.
The lower co-payment cap will be formally announced in next week's federal budget and is expected to cost the government $689 million.
Opening APP today, Twomey said reducing the co-payment is five times more effective than increasing dispense qualities.
"If your Guild and your government had not acted at the last election, the general co-payment would have reached $50 by the first of January 2026," Twomen said.
"Reducing the co-payment is the most popular cost-of-living initiative of this government - it was so good they agreed to do it again." ML/KB
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