EIGHT health consumer groups have backed 60-day dispensing of PBS medicines, despite concerns raised by a Lake Boga pharmacist.
They penned an open letter to federal parliamentarians, urging them to “put health consumers first and support the reforms”, which the government planned to roll out from September.
The letter claimed benefits would include saving consumers up to $180 a year, increasing convenience and reducing the need for routine GP visits, freeing GPs up for other patients.
If introduced, people with stable chronic health conditions would be able to buy up to two months’ worth of common PBS-listed medicines for the price of a single prescription, rather than a one-month supply.
Lake Boga pharmacist Troy Davis recently voiced his concerns over the impending changes, as did the federal Opposition and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.
He said unintended consequences could include the forced closure of some small-town pharmacies and the worsening of current medicine supply shortages.
“Since COVID the drug-supply chain has been in chaos and we are all still facing shortages in so many medicines, most of them the ones used on a regular basis,” he told The Guardian.
“My pharmacy is not a big one, so we only get a limited supply of things such as antibiotics or blood-pressure medications and under this scheme they will now be going out the door twice as fast.
“If all my regulars come in on September 1 and walk out the door with two months’ supply, and a new patient comes in the next day with a new script, chances are I won’t be able to fill it be cause I won’t have any until my next allocation arrives.”
The Royal Australian College of GPs was among the groups supporting the plan for 60-day dispensing.
President Dr Nicole Higgins labelled it a win for Australians battling cost-of-living pressures.
“I urge MPs and senators to ignore the scare campaigns and support these changes, there has never been a more important time to save patients money and time,” Ms Higgins said.
Australian College of Nurse Practitioners chief executive Leanne Boase said the measure would improve access to good health.
“Many Australians struggle to access a prescriber for repeat prescriptions and 60-day dispensing will free up more appointments, improving access to timely primary health care,” Ms Boase said.
Breast Cancer Network policy director Vicki Durston said it would save costs and time, reduce the financial burden of the already significant cost of a cancer diagnosis, and help alleviate pressure on the primary health system and GPs.
Asthma Australia chief executive Michelle Goldman said it would reduce the regularity of GP and pharmacy visits, reducing the likelihood of asthma patients missing or rationing their medicine at the end of each month because they can’t afford another prescription.
Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative co-chair Marina Chand said it will benefit culturally and linguistically diverse Australians, who had a higher prevalence of chronic disease, making “a real difference”.
National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations acting chief executive Dr Dawn Casey welcomed the potential cost savings and convenience, “especially when considering accessibility of some pharmacies and current cost of transport”.
Australian Medical Association president Professor Steve Robson said the changes were safe and supported clear recommendations made by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.
Prof Robson said there was a requirement to ensure that only patients assessed as clinically suitable by a doctor were eligible.
