MEDIA RELEASE
Australians urged to prioritise health as medicines avoid indexation
The Australian Government is ensuring medicines stay affordable in 2025 by freezing the maximum patient cost of all Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines for all Medicare and concession card holders
Delaying or skipping filling prescriptions can put your health at risk. This initiative keeps medicines affordable, making it easier for Australians to access essential medicines without added financial strain
Under the freeze, the PBS patient co-payment for pensioners and concession card holders will remain at $7.70 per PBS-listed prescription for the next 5 years. General Medicare card holders’ patient co-payment is also remaining capped at $31.60 per PBS-listed prescription for 2025
This ensures stable costs for individuals and families, encouraging Australians to prioritise their health by filling their prescriptions without hesitation
Keeping medicine prices steady helps reduce financial pressure and supports equitable access for all communities
The PBS co-payment freeze reflects the government’s broader commitment to improving healthcare affordability and accessibility
By removing cost as a barrier, this measure aims to improve health outcomes for all Australians
If you’ve delayed filling a prescription due to concerns about cost, now is the time to act. With the maximum patient cost of PBS medications frozen, the price of medicines hasn’t increased this year, ensuring you can access the treatments you need to protect your health
For more information on the campaign and translated resources, visit
health.gov.au/cheaper-medicines/translated-resources
Quotes attributable to Dr Steve Hambleton, Brisbane GP and Chief Clinical Adviser for the Australian Digital Health Agency
“The cost of medicines should never be a barrier to good health. Freezing the PBS maximum patient cost means Australians can access the medications they need without worrying about rising costs”
“Too many Australians are delaying or skipping their medicines because of cost pressures. Keeping the PBS co-payment steady removes one of the biggest barriers to accessing healthcare”
“For families, pensioners, and individuals across the country this initiative makes a real difference. It ensures that everyone, no matter where they live, can afford the medicines they need to stay healthy”
“I encourage all Australians to prioritise their health. With the price freeze, now is the time to visit your doctor or pharmacist and get the medicines you need”
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