Are seniors set for soaring yearly prescription costs under new dispensing rules? Health minister blasts ‘cynical scare campaign’
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We know how expensive and complicated modern healthcare can be. Whether you're part of the aged care sector or not, it can easily become a financial and emotional drain if you don't stay on top of things.
This is especially true in the news recently after the community pharmacy peak body claimed one group of Australians could be hit with soaring costs for medicines.
![compressed-Screen Shot 2023-08-08 at 10.31.53 AM.jpeg compressed-Screen Shot 2023-08-08 at 10.31.53 AM.jpeg](https://seniorsdiscountclub.com.au/data/attachments/26/26927-029b549913dfaa7d5e2ce8e0acae5eb0.jpg)
The government is defending its controversial new dispensing policy, which allows Aussies to fill two-month prescriptions for the price of one. Earlier, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia warned that seniors would foot an $806 annual bill for weekly prescriptions over the move.
Health Minister Mark Butler condemned the community pharmacy peak body over its latest claim, calling it a ‘campaign’ designed to 'scare’ aged care residents relying on subsidised medication.
He said, 'The pharmacy lobby and the Liberal Party have tried to scare vulnerable aged care residents that they would have to pay extra because of this measure to save six million patients from having to get their prescription filled every single month…'
'This is a cynical scare campaign from the pharmacy lobby that should be rejected,' he said.
'We are determined to deliver this cheaper medicines reform for six million patients, and we're determined, also, to protect aged care residents in the same process.'
Currently, community pharmacies are distributing medicines to 188,000 elderly Australians living in residential aged-care facilities each week at zero cost through subsidies for pharmacy dispensing fees.
Anthony Tassone, the guild's Vice President, earlier said, 'The true costs of that service have been absorbed through the pharmacies and funded through dispensing remuneration to make sure that patients get the right medicine, in the right dose, at the right time.'
'But that's at risk if we don't get cheaper medicines the right way,' he added.
The guild strongly opposed the reform, arguing that it would cut funding for around 6000 community pharmacies by half, affecting their ability to dispense medicine.
However, the Office of Impact Analysis presents a different perspective. Their modelling suggests that, on average, the funding reduction for dispensing Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medication would be around 18 per cent after four years.
Despite the organisation's claims, the government estimated that 6 million Australians would benefit from the policy, which halved the price of more than 320 medicines covered by the PBS from September.
Minister Butler also shared during a press conference that he plans to advance discussions about the Eighth Community Pharmacy Agreement by a year.
This agreement, intended to be established between the government and the community pharmacy sector before mid-2024, aims to define payment arrangements for pharmacies regarding dispensing medications and offering additional services such as organising dose administration aids and conducting medication reviews.
Despite their ongoing efforts to prevent the implementation of new dispensation regulations, the guild is anticipated to be among the parties endorsing this new agreement.
Members, what are your thoughts on this? We'd love to hear from you, so feel free to comment in the section below!
This is especially true in the news recently after the community pharmacy peak body claimed one group of Australians could be hit with soaring costs for medicines.
![compressed-Screen Shot 2023-08-08 at 10.31.53 AM.jpeg compressed-Screen Shot 2023-08-08 at 10.31.53 AM.jpeg](https://seniorsdiscountclub.com.au/data/attachments/26/26927-029b549913dfaa7d5e2ce8e0acae5eb0.jpg)
The government has hit back after the community pharmacy sector claimed one group of Australians could be hit with soaring costs for medicines. Credit: Shutterstock.
The government is defending its controversial new dispensing policy, which allows Aussies to fill two-month prescriptions for the price of one. Earlier, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia warned that seniors would foot an $806 annual bill for weekly prescriptions over the move.
Health Minister Mark Butler condemned the community pharmacy peak body over its latest claim, calling it a ‘campaign’ designed to 'scare’ aged care residents relying on subsidised medication.
He said, 'The pharmacy lobby and the Liberal Party have tried to scare vulnerable aged care residents that they would have to pay extra because of this measure to save six million patients from having to get their prescription filled every single month…'
'This is a cynical scare campaign from the pharmacy lobby that should be rejected,' he said.
'We are determined to deliver this cheaper medicines reform for six million patients, and we're determined, also, to protect aged care residents in the same process.'
Currently, community pharmacies are distributing medicines to 188,000 elderly Australians living in residential aged-care facilities each week at zero cost through subsidies for pharmacy dispensing fees.
Anthony Tassone, the guild's Vice President, earlier said, 'The true costs of that service have been absorbed through the pharmacies and funded through dispensing remuneration to make sure that patients get the right medicine, in the right dose, at the right time.'
'But that's at risk if we don't get cheaper medicines the right way,' he added.
The guild strongly opposed the reform, arguing that it would cut funding for around 6000 community pharmacies by half, affecting their ability to dispense medicine.
However, the Office of Impact Analysis presents a different perspective. Their modelling suggests that, on average, the funding reduction for dispensing Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medication would be around 18 per cent after four years.
Despite the organisation's claims, the government estimated that 6 million Australians would benefit from the policy, which halved the price of more than 320 medicines covered by the PBS from September.
Minister Butler also shared during a press conference that he plans to advance discussions about the Eighth Community Pharmacy Agreement by a year.
This agreement, intended to be established between the government and the community pharmacy sector before mid-2024, aims to define payment arrangements for pharmacies regarding dispensing medications and offering additional services such as organising dose administration aids and conducting medication reviews.
Despite their ongoing efforts to prevent the implementation of new dispensation regulations, the guild is anticipated to be among the parties endorsing this new agreement.
Key Takeaways
- The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has claimed that aged-care residents will face an $806 annual bill for weekly prescriptions due to Labor's new 60-day dispensing rules.
- Health Minister Mark Butler has condemned the community pharmacy peak body over this claim, calling it a 'cynical scare campaign'.
- While the guild states the changes will halve their funding, an impact analysis report estimates only an average reduction of 18% in the dispensing of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medication over four years.
- Mr Butler is willing to start negotiations early on the Eighth Community Pharmacy Agreement, due 2024, which will formalise compensation to pharmacies for dispensing medication and running other services.
Members, what are your thoughts on this? We'd love to hear from you, so feel free to comment in the section below!