The cost of treating a variety of ailments from cholesterol to high blood pressure will be significantly reduced for residents in the Forde electorate with news of cheaper medicines available from this month.
Federal Member for Forde, Bert van Manen MP said the price of over 400 medications from common treatments through to expensive combination and patent-protected drugs on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme were dropping.
“The reduced price of medication will save consumers as much as $20, or 60 per cent per script,” Mr van Manen said.
“Considering one-in-five Australians are living with multiple chronic conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure or depression, this can save some patients as much as $500 per year.”
Mr van Manen said the price reductions were a result of key elements from the Turnbull Government’s landmark Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme reform package, which passed the Senate last year.
“We fought hard for this reform and it is now paying off for consumers and also for taxpayers, with our government able to invest more than $3 billion in new medicines, including breakthrough cures for melanoma, breast cancer and hepatitis C,” Mr van Manen said.
Among more common medications to drop in price:
- Amlodipine for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, up to $23.05 cheaper per script.
- Clopidogrel which is dispensed for some heart conditions up to $21.49 cheaper.
- And for treating glaucoma, Latanoprost will be to $10.99 per script cheaper.
Consumers will also see a direct reduction in the cost of over 60 common medicines priced below the general $38.80 co-payment as part of this round of price disclosure.
Further price reductions, of up to 50 per cent or more, will also occur in October 2016 when price calculations for thousands of common PBS medications reflect the cost of cheaper generic versions, rather than more expensive premium brands.
More details are available here:
