More drugs added to 60-day prescription list

A number of medications have been added to the 60-day prescription list, which allows patients to purchase up to two months’ supply at once, as part of a raft of cost-of-living measures introduced by the government.

The changes are part of a package of relief efforts aimed at reducing pressure on Australians already doing it tough. Prime minister Anthony Albanese told News Corp his government was encouraged to expand the 60-day prescription list due to the success of the existing program, which has been in place since the start of the year.

“We know people are doing it tough, which is why we are continuing to deliver real cost of living relief like cheaper medicines,” he said.

“This is real cost of living relief, putting more money back into people’s hip pockets.”

The new drugs added to the list include medicines for acne, asthma, glaucoma, Parkinsons disease, anxiety and depression, constipation and even dry eyes.

There are now a total of 300 medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) available for 60-day dispensing.

Federal health minister Mark Butler told reporters at a press conference for the package’s launch that his government has prioritised getting the cost of medicines down for a public under a lot of pressure.

“In just the last couple of years, we’ve delivered more than $500 million in savings for Australian patients at the pharmacist, part of which has been the biggest cut to the price of medicines in the 75-year history of the PBS,” he said.

“Over the last 12 months, there have already been more than 10 million 60-day scripts issued for a range of common conditions like hypertension, high cholesterol, various cancers and so many others.

“This is not just saving people money it’s also saving them time and fewer visits to the pharmacist and fewer repeat visits back to their GP just to get a repeat script, also relieving pressure on general practice as well.”

It’s hoped the changes will allow people to budget further in advance more effectively. Kerry Goldsworth, community connector for Asthma Australia, praised the decision and said having 60-day prescribing in place when her children (who suffer from asthma) were young would have helped enormously.

“When my sons were young, this 60-day prescribing would have made the world of difference to me,” she said.

“Because I was buying three preventers at a time for myself, for my two sons, that would have equated to about $90 a month saving just for us, just on our asthma medications.

There are families going without medications out there, choosing whether to pay their electricity bill, whether to buy food.”

Rent Assistance will also rise

Announced alongside the expanded medications list was a 10 per cent increase to Commonwealth Rent Assistance rates from 20 September. This is in addition to the 15 per cent increase granted earlier this year.

Minister for social services Amanda Rishworth said in a statement that the government is firmly committed to delivering greater assistance to Australians facing cost of living challenges.

“This Government recognises that many Australians continue to be directly affected by cost-of-living pressures,” she said.

“Maximum rates of Commonwealth Rent Assistance will have increased by around 45 per cent since the Albanese Government was elected.

“This indexation will deliver timely boosts to people receiving allowance payments and pensions, ensuring that these vulnerable cohorts have more money in their pockets for everyday expenses.”

Do you take any medicines on the 60-day prescription list? Should all medicines be on that list? Let us know in the comments section below.

Also read: How to get the best out of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme