Medicines affordability must take precedence over populist Budget moves like making beer cheaper, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia says.
National President of the Guild, Trent Twomey, said research highlighted the need to make PBS medicines more affordable.
“Research shows that some 900,000 Australians delayed getting prescriptions due to cost in 2019-20 and 31 per cent of middle-income households find it hard to afford medicines,” Professor Twomey said.
“Women in particular are struggling with 32 per cent of women aged 35-54 finding it hard to pay for medicines.
“And the Australian Patients Association has found that more than 20 per cent of people aged 18-64 describe prescription medication as unaffordable.”
Professor Twomey said that with the general co-payment now at $42.50, and heading towards the $50 mark, something had to be done, and done now.
“I know that if I asked my patients if they would prefer the cost of beer or the cost of medicines to be cut, they would say cut the cost of medicines,” he said.
“Medicines remain unaffordable for so many Australians and our research shows women are particularly hard hit.
“The hip pocket issues which affect women are relevant not just to them but to their entire household.
“Health costs are a first order cost-of-living issue for women. A quarter of women in middle income households without a concession card have struggled to afford prescription medicines over the past three years.
“And 13 per cent of people without concession cards have had to skip prescribed medicines.
“This budget must address what is a damming situation in Australia today.
“People are struggling to afford essentials and going without their medicines should never be a decision Australians have to make.”
