Millions of Australians living with ongoing health conditions will now have access to cheaper medicines through the federal government’s 60-day dispensing policy. Starting on September 1, consumers with chronic conditions will be able to receive two months’ worth of medication for the price of one. This policy aims to provide cost of living relief for individuals with conditions such as heart disease, Crohn’s disease, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure.
Health Minister Mark Butler emphasized the importance of this change, stating that it will benefit many Australians and alleviate the financial burden associated with ongoing medication. Individuals with a Medicare card can save up to $180 per year, per medicine, while concession card holders can save $43 per medicine. Additionally, the implementation of 60-day prescriptions will allow doctors to have more time to diagnose and treat conditions, rather than issuing routine repeat scripts and scheduling multiple GP visits.
This policy particularly aims to benefit regional Australians who will no longer have to travel monthly to pharmacies for prescriptions they have been on for decades. The use of longer prescriptions is expected to increase medicine compliance by 20 percent, according to overseas evidence. Major patient groups and doctors’ organizations, including the Consumers Health Forum, the Australian Medical Association, and the College of General Practitioners, strongly support the implementation of 60-day prescriptions.
However, pharmacists have expressed concerns about the change, predicting that it may lead to the closure of pharmacies across Australia. Minister Butler dismissed these concerns as a scare campaign from the “highly profitable” pharmacy lobby. He assured that the government is committed to supporting community pharmacies and that the savings from this policy will be reinvested into programs to enhance services for customers.
Minister Butler expressed his confusion regarding opposition from the Liberal Party and called on Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to support this measure for the benefit of the people. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Consumers Health Forum both praised the policy, acknowledging the immediate benefits it will bring to vulnerable individuals and the overall goal of making healthcare more affordable, accessible, and equitable. Amid the increasing cost of living pressures, this policy aims to alleviate the financial burden faced by consumers who often have to choose between vital medications and other essentials.