The RACGP is calling on the Senate to put patients first and pass 60-day dispensing reforms to save patients money and time, and free up GP appointments.
After months of intense lobbying and dishonest scare campaigns by the pharmacy lobby group, the Liberal-National Coalition will today move a disallowance motion in an attempt to stop 60-day dispensing reforms passing the Senate.
This reform is widely supported by patient and consumer groups. It will double the amount of medicines that pharmacists can dispense for stable conditions, on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, from 30 to 60 days – saving patients at least $180 a year and more if they’re taking multiple medicines.
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins urged the Senate to pass the reforms for patients doing it tough.
“60-day dispensing is long overdue reform,” she said.
“Many people living the chronic and ongoing conditions will see immediate benefits. It will save patients at least $180 a year, and more if they’re taking multiple medicines, as well as reducing trips to get medicine, and freeing up GP appointments.
“This will make a big difference for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, who are struggling with rising costs, as well as people in rural areas who have a long drive to their nearest pharmacy.
“As a GP from rural Australia, I know our patients deserve better. 30-day dispensing doesn’t make sense for people who’ve been on the same medications for stable conditions for years. It’s an unnecessary financial pain, and for people in rural and remote areas, frequent drives to the closest pharmacy are a real burden.
“The pharmacy owners are one of Australia’s biggest political donors and they expect a return on investment, but they shouldn’t be able to decide policy.
“I’m calling on politicians of all stripes to put everyday Australians first, before business profits, and work together to pass these reforms. It will make a difference for the people who need it most.”
60-day medicine dispensing will:
- Benefit approximately 6 million people with chronic and ongoing conditions – including a significant number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Australians who have a higher prevalence of chronic conditions.
- Save consumers up to $180 a year and more for people taking multiple medicines.
- Mean fewer trips to pick up medicines and repeat scripts, saving people time and money, and freeing up GP appointments for other patients.
- Bring Australia into line with other high-income countries like New Zealand, the USA and Canada, where people already have access to multiple months of medication on a single prescription.
- Improve system equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who suffer more from chronic disease. There is strong evidence showing the value of medicine cost reduction for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Increase convenience for consumers, which will increase medication adherence.
- Implement a recommendation from the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC). PBAC has dismissed claims the change would cause medication shortages.
