Millions of Australians living with ongoing health conditions can get cheaper medicines under the first stage of the federal government’s 60-day dispensing policy.
From Sep. 1, consumers with chronic conditions will be able to get two months’ worth of medicine for the price of one. People with a heart condition, Crohn’s disease, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, high blood pressure and many other conditions will get important cost of living relief, Health Minister Mark Butler said in a statement to mark the change. “Everyone with a Medicare card taking one of these medicines will save up to $180 (US$116.3) per year, per medicine. Concession card holders will save $43 (US$27.8) per medicine,” Mr. Butler said. Mr. Butler said every Australian would benefit from the freeing up of millions of GP visits so doctors had more time to diagnose and treat conditions, instead of simply issuing routine, repeat scripts. “Regional Australians will no longer have to travel each month into the pharmacy to pick up the same prescription they’ve been on for decades,” Mr. Butler said.
