Medicine brands to drop in price

More than 2000 medicine brands treating common conditions on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, will drop in price from next month.

An empty bed seen in a recovery room

More than 2000 medicine brands on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme will drop in price. (AAP)

Patients will pay less for more than 2000 medicines from next month, with the price of brands treating common conditions to drop by as much as $20 a script.

Health Minister Sussan Ley says some patients with multiple chronic conditions such as osteoporosis and diabetes, could save up to $400 a year on their medicine scripts.

More than 80 per cent of the medicines set to drop in price next month would see a direct saving to some consumers, while the remaining 20 per cent - those priced above the general PBS co-payment - would save taxpayers from dipping into their pockets, according to Ms Ley.

"In addition to saving consumers real money cash in hand, this innovative coalition reform will also save taxpayers nearly $900 million over the next four years by ensuring the Government isn't overpaying for medicines either," Ms Ley said in a statement on Sunday.

""It's a win-win for taxpayers and consumers and is another example of the Turnbull Government making medicines more affordable for millions of Australians."

She said the savings from the 2015 PBS sustainability package are already being used to subsidise new breakthrough medicines such as the $150,000 melanoma treatment, Keytruda.

The price drops will come into effect from October 1.


Share
2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world