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ADEA has joined Diabetes Australia in welcoming the Albanese Government’s reforms to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme that will save some people living with diabetes up to $180 a year.
From 1 September, people will be able to access two months’ worth of 320 medicines from a single prescription, meaning they will pay less for their medicines.
The current dispensing limit is for only one month of supply.
ADEA, however, is concerned that the new policy does not include insulins and GLP-1 agonists, and we are working with our unified partners and other relevant stakeholders on this.
ADEA CEO Susan Davidson said ‘we commend the Albanese Government’s step to reduce the cost of prescription drugs’.
‘We have long known that cost is a barrier to accessing quality diabetes care, and we need to do everything we can to improve equitable access to diabetes care in Australia,’ Ms Davidson said.
‘We are fully supportive of this and encourage the Government to look at improving the access and coverage of Credentialled Diabetes Educators (CDEs).
‘However, we are concerned about the lack of inclusions of insulins and GLP-1 agonists and look forward to working with the Government on this.
‘Our members have advocated directly on this issue and we stand with them and people living with diabetes who rely on these medications.’
Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said the move would ease cost-of-living pressures on Australians living with diabetes and make managing the condition easier.
‘Many people living with diabetes are taking two or three medicines to help them manage it and then on top of that, there are other medicines to manage other conditions such as blood pressure, heart issues, mental health challenges, and various other health issues,’ Ms Cain said.
A media release by Mr Butler states that introducing 60-day prescribing for stable, ongoing conditions was a recommendation of the clinical experts at the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee in 2018.
‘This reform delivers important cost-of-living relief to Australians,’ the statement reads.
‘Every dollar saved by the Government will be reinvested straight back into community pharmacies to secure the ongoing strength of the sector and ensure our trusted pharmacists play an even larger role in the healthcare of Australians.’
In a press conference on 26 April, Mr Butler said this new policy would ‘be phased in over three different tranches’ during the 12 months to September 2024.
Medicines eligible for longer prescriptions are listed here.
Update: 2 May 2023
Thank you to our pharmacist members who have raised some concerns with the government’s proposal.
We reiterate that we will advocate for the government to invest in and support pharmacies and pharmacists.
Additionally, we continue to advocate that all CDEs work to their full scope of practice and are recognised as an essential part of the health system at the centre of every diabetes care team.
ADEA has joined Diabetes Australia in welcoming the Albanese Government’s reforms to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme that will save some people living with diabetes up to $180 a year.
From 1 September, people will be able to access two months’ worth of 320 medicines from a single prescription, meaning they will pay less for their medicines.
The current dispensing limit is for only one month of supply.
ADEA, however, is concerned that the new policy does not include insulins and GLP-1 agonists, and we are working with our unified partners and other relevant stakeholders on this.
ADEA CEO Susan Davidson said ‘we commend the Albanese Government’s step to reduce the cost of prescription drugs’.
‘We have long known that cost is a barrier to accessing quality diabetes care, and we need to do everything we can to improve equitable access to diabetes care in Australia,’ Ms Davidson said.
‘We are fully supportive of this and encourage the Government to look at improving the access and coverage of Credentialled Diabetes Educators (CDEs).
‘However, we are concerned about the lack of inclusions of insulins and GLP-1 agonists and look forward to working with the Government on this.
‘Our members have advocated directly on this issue and we stand with them and people living with diabetes who rely on these medications.’
Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said the move would ease cost-of-living pressures on Australians living with diabetes and make managing the condition easier.
‘Many people living with diabetes are taking two or three medicines to help them manage it and then on top of that, there are other medicines to manage other conditions such as blood pressure, heart issues, mental health challenges, and various other health issues,’ Ms Cain said.
A media release by Mr Butler states that introducing 60-day prescribing for stable, ongoing conditions was a recommendation of the clinical experts at the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee in 2018.
‘This reform delivers important cost-of-living relief to Australians,’ the statement reads.
‘Every dollar saved by the Government will be reinvested straight back into community pharmacies to secure the ongoing strength of the sector and ensure our trusted pharmacists play an even larger role in the healthcare of Australians.’
In a press conference on 26 April, Mr Butler said this new policy would ‘be phased in over three different tranches’ during the 12 months to September 2024.
Medicines eligible for longer prescriptions are listed here.
Update: 2 May 2023
Thank you to our pharmacist members who have raised some concerns with the government’s proposal.
We reiterate that we will advocate for the government to invest in and support pharmacies and pharmacists.
Additionally, we continue to advocate that all CDEs work to their full scope of practice and are recognised as an essential part of the health system at the centre of every diabetes care team.
