FROM January 1 a number of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme listed medicines which can also be bought over-the-counter will have their PBS subsidy removed.
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The move means that people who previously obtained these medication by a script will no longer be able to do so and will have to buy them from pharmacies or supermarkets.
There are 17 common medications affected by the changes including, Astrix (aspirin) Spren 100 (aspirin) Panamax (paracetamol; 500mg tablet,100 ml liquid, 200 ml liquid) Panadol Osteo (paracetamol; 665 mg modified release tablets), Chlorsig eye drops (0.5%) and ointment (1%) Dulcolax suppositories (10 mg) Gaviscon P and Mylanta P.
NPS Medicinewise said most of the medicines earmarked to be removed from the PBS actually cost more with a script than if they were purchased without one which meant a person filling a script for one of them had greater out of pocket costs than if they bought them off the shelf.
Some of the medicines will continue on the PBS for specific groups such as those identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, paraplegic or quadriplegic individuals or those receiving palliative care.
In some cases a medicine may be removed from the PBS but added to the Repatriation Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits.
NPS Medicinewise said consumers should be aware that the amount of some medicines which can be bought may differ according to where they are purchased. For example paracetamol products sold in supermarkets are restricted to 20 tablets while pharmacies can sell larger packs.
The changes mean anyone currently prescribed any of these medicines by a doctor can no longer have a PBS script written for them and they cannot be purchased at a PBS-subsided price—the changes may also affect a patient’s PBS safety net threshold.
Dr Lynn Weekes, CEO of NPS MedicineWise said “If you or someone you care about takes one of these over-the-counter medicines on medical advice, it is best to speak with your pharmacist or your prescribers as soon as possible so you know how the changes will affect you.
“These medicines are already available over-the-counter from pharmacies. As you move to purchasing these medicines ‘over-the-counter’ rather than relying on a prescription with labelled instructions, remember to ask questions about dosage and anything else you are confused about.”
Your doctor can write a private prescription for the medicine although this may be more expensive than an over-the-counter purchase. Some of the medicines will continue on the PBS for specific groups, such as people identifying as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, paraplegic or quadriplegic individuals, or those receiving palliative care.
It advised consumers to make a list or medications that showed important information such as the active ingredients to show to their pharmacist to identify suitable products if the one they took was not available.
For further information contact NPS Medicineswise Line 1300-633-424. The call will be answered by Healthdirect Australia.
Details of the medications affected are available here
