It is one government decision that has copped zero criticism and has been welcomed by people across the country - whether it affects them or not.

Late last year Parliament passed a legislation to lower the maximum co-payment cost of PBS medicines which will prove highly beneficial for many rural and regional patients in 2023. 

The new, lower cost of PBS medicines came into effect on New Year’s Day, meaning the most patients will now pay for a PBS-listed medication is $30, down from $42.50. 

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) began as a limited scheme in 1948, with free medicines for pensioners and a list of 139 ‘life-saving and disease preventing’ medicines free of charge for others in the community.

Today the PBS provides timely, reliable and affordable access to necessary medicines for Australians.

Under the PBS, the government subsidises the cost of medicine for most medical conditions. Most of the listed medicines are dispensed by pharmacists and used by patients at home.

Regional pharmacist Damian Lewis says he is happy to hear this news for his patients.

"This new capped price for PBS general patients will allow greater access to some vital medications for conditions such as asthma and diabetes in particular, where the cost of these medications can sometimes be prohibitive for some customers to access.

"I look forward to being able to help more customers improve their health this year," said Mr. Lewis.

Damian Lewis, rural Pharmacist. PHOTO SUPPLIED.

National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Professor Trent Twomey, says this will make a huge difference to some 19 million patients, who have been struggling to afford their medicines. 

“In 2019-20 we learnt that 900,000 Australian patients did not get a script filled because they could not afford it. 

“As health professionals, this disturbed us immensely and led to our “Affordable Medicines Now” campaign which pressured both parties to commit to lowering the cost of PBS medicines in the lead up to the last election. 

“It’s a credit to our politicians that they listened to those concerns and gave a bi-partisan commitment to lower the maximum co-payment for PBS listed medicines after the election. 

“January 1 marks a significant date as it will be the first time in the history of the PBS that the general co-payment for medicines has come down and not gone up.” 

However, Professor Twomey says the campaign to make medicines universally affordable is far from over. 

“We are now pushing to lower the maximum co-payment of PBS medicines even further, to $19. 

“Reducing the maximum co-payment to $19 will mean an additional 30% of PBS medicines are covered,” Professor Twomey said. 

Polled voters in 2022 revealed the affordability of healthcare was their biggest hip pocket concern in a survey commissioned by the Pharmacy Guild.

The Scheme is available to all Australian residents who hold a current Medicare card.

Overseas visitors from countries with which Australia has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) are also eligible to access the Scheme. Australia currently has RHCAs with the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Malta, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Norway, Belgium and Slovenia.

Residents of these countries must show their passports when lodging a prescription to prove their eligibility or they can contact Services Australia and get a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement Card to prove their eligibility. Some overseas visitors may not be eligible for this card.

Only those eligible for the PBS will receive subsidised medication and every time you present your script to the Pharmacist you will need to provide your Medicare card.

Eligible veterans may need to present their DVA card in addition to their Medicare card.

With your consent, the pharmacist may (at their discretion) keep a record of your Medicare number so that you do not have to show the actual card every time you lodge a script.

With the cost of living at an all-time high, this legislation will assist many people struggling to pay for required medicines for themselves and their loved ones, a great start to 2023.