Medicines that help people with dry eye disease and glaucoma are among 300 medicines now available as 60-day prescriptions, after changes made by the Federal Government.
Sixty-day prescriptions were first introduced in September 2023. By 31 July 2024, more than 10 million prescriptions had been dispensed.
This latest announcement involves the third group of medicines to become available as 60-day prescriptions, helping Australians to save money and reducing the number of times they need to see their doctor.
It also comes amid the “largest cut to the maximum patient copayment in the 75-year history” of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
According to a statement, the maximum amount pensioners pay for their medicines across the year has been reduced by 25%. Meanwhile, the maximum co-payment for a PBS medicine has been frozen for one year for everyone with a Medicare card and five years for concession cardholders.
The Government claims Australians have saved $525 million on the cost of their medicines.
The full list of medicines available for a 60-day prescription can be viewed at: www.health.gov.au/cheapermedicines.
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