copayments
Poor will defer filling scripts if copay rises: AMA
Disadvantaged people may defer filling scripts if the Coalition is returned to Government following this weekend’s election and it implements a proposed copayment increase, AMA president Dr Michael Gannon says. …
Script price hike undermines universal healthcare: Shorten
A Labor Government would scrap the increased copayment for prescription medicines, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten reiterated at the Press Club yesterday. The proposed increase to copayments – by 80 cents …
World news wrapup: 16 June 2016
Our weekly wrapup of pharmacy news from around the world Orlando, Florida: Stanley Almodovar III, 23 (pictured), and Amanda Alvear, 25, have been named as two of the victims of …
Xenophon slams $1 discount, potential deregulation
Senator Nick Xenophon has taken aim at the controversial $1 optional PBS copayment discount introduced by the Coalition Government, saying this is a “flawed” policy which burdens community pharmacy. In …
PBS copay, safety net rise to persist if Coalition returned: Ley
The increased PBS copayment and Safety Net amounts remain Coalition policy and will be revisited should the Turnbull Government be returned, Health Minister Sussan Ley says. The Prime Minister yesterday …
Guild, PSA welcome Labor PBS plan
Pharmacy stakeholders have welcomed Labor’s announcement that if elected, it will scrap the Turnbull Liberal Government’s cuts to the PBS. Labor says this will ensure that there will be no …
Consumers choose Medicare Safety Net over saving $1
Consumers are choosing the Medicare Safety Net over the $1 script copayment discount, says pharmacy consultant Peter Feros, who has financial interests in Cincotta Discount Chemist. “In the 12 pharmacies …
What I’d like to see pharmacists do in 2016
Pharmacists will need to keep on top of their own health as well as the health of their business in 2016, writes Samantha Kourtis The last two years have been …
Guild explains flaws in $1 discount to Government, educates patients
The Guild does not support discounting of the patient co-payment as it is contrary to the concept of universality of the PBS and undermines the purpose of having a consistently …
2015 a tough year, and there’s more to come: Sinclair
With review ‘scope creep’ meaning ownership rules may be captured by the upcoming review, and a Health Minister who appears not to be a great friend of pharmacy, the industry …
Patient harm from removal of pathology bulk billing incentives: pathologists
The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia has warned that removal of the Bulk Billing Incentive for Pathology services, announced by the Federal Government, is expected to have a detrimental …
The $1 Christmas gift you didn’t want
The $1 pharmacy co-payment discount is about as welcome as a lump of coal in a Christmas stocking for many pharmacists, writes Mal Scrymgeour… is your strategy in place yet? …