From 1 September 2023, many Australians’ living with a chronic condition will have access to 92 PBS medicines at a lower cost under the Australian Government’s new 60-day dispensing arrangements.
This means many patients who live with a chronic and stable condition may be eligible to receive 2 months’ worth of PBS listed medicine for the cost of a single prescription.
The first stage of the Government’s 60-day dispensing policy will support patients living with conditions including:
- cardiovascular disease
- Crohn disease
- gout
- heart failure
- high cholesterol
- hypertension
- osteoporosis
- ulcerative colitis.
Importantly, prescribers will have the option to prescribe medicines for either 30 or 60-day dispensing, according to their professional clinical judgement.
When fully implemented on 1 September 2024, approximately 6 million Australians will benefit from lower costs for their medicine. This will save patients more than $1.6 billion over the next 4 years.
General patients will be able to save up to $180 a year per medicine if their medicine is able to be prescribed for 60 days. Concession card holders will save up to $43.80 a year per medicine.
It also means fewer visits to the GP and pharmacist to get the medicine you need the most.
The cheaper medicine reforms won’t affect medicine availability and won’t add to shortages.
Learn more about the policy:
