From the start of 2026, co-payments for medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) will be reduced to a maximum of $25 per prescription.
The current maximum is $31.60 and with the reduction, over 20 million Australians without a concession card are slated to save hundreds of millions over the next few years.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia welcome the Federal Government introduction of legislation that has allowed for cheaper co-payments.
‘This is great news for NSW patients. Every day, community pharmacists hear heartbreaking stories from people forced to choose between their medications and essentials like food or petrol,’ said Mr Mario Barone, President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s NSW Branch. ‘Reducing the cost of medications by even a few dollars can be the difference between someone staying on their treatment or ending up in hospital.’
The PBS began in a limited capacity in 1948, with free medicines for pensioners and 139 medicines free for others in the community. This reduction to $25 is the second cut to the PBS co-payment in its 75-year history. Both the Federal Government and Opposition support the reduction.
In calling for the Australian Government to legislate cheaper medicines, the Pharmacy Guild was joined by representatives from Australian Patients Association, Asthma Australia, Family Planning Alliance Australia, QENDO, Australian Association for Adolescent Health, Wounds Australia, Parents & Citizens Queensland, Foodbank, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, and Advanced Pharmacy Australia.
Correction to the in print article, in the print edition of this article the headline was incorrectly labeled “Medicare Co-payment”
