Post by Banker on Apr 1, 2012 8:34:49 GMT 7
THE biggest price cuts in the history of the nation's pharmaceutical benefits scheme have hit pharmacists' shelves today, delivering big savings to families.
Prices will be slashed on 1000 brands of 60 popular prescription medicines by up to $14 a script.
Thousands of families will pay less for prescription drugs, while taxpayers who subsidise the cost of medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme will save $1.9 billion over five years.
Drug companies hope the savings will also help the Government list new drugs on the taxpayer-funded PBS, with a swag of new treatments for cancer, arthritis and kidney failure to also join the taxpayer-subsidised medicines scheme from today.
A comprehensive analysis of the savings for families prepared by the Health Department for The Sunday Times readers reveals drugs to lower cholesterol, treat high blood pressure, osteoporosis, depression, heart failure and reflux will be reduced in price, starting today.
Because the price of the drugs will now fall below the current co-payment for prescription medicine of $35.40, patients will secure big savings and pharmacists can compete on price. Pensioners and concession-card holders will continue to pay $5.80 a script.
"This is great news for millions of Australian patients who will see additional money in their pockets," Health Minister Tanya Plibersek said.
"The Gillard Government is making sure patients will have greater access to the medicines they need at reduced prices for conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, epilepsy, depression and pain relief."
The savings are the product of new agreements struck by the Gillard Government and drug companies on price disclosure.
In some cases the price of popular cholesterol-lowering drugs will fall by $14 a script. The average cost saving to consumers is $3 a script.
The main reason for the price of drugs falling is the rise of generic medicines that have the same active ingredients as brand-name alternatives.
"These are big savings that go straight to consumers' hip pockets," Medicines Australia's Dr Brendan Shaw said.
"The price cuts agreed will also deliver the Government $1.9 billion in savings. That will provide the financial headroom to bring new medicines on to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
goo.gl/jYuiI
Prices will be slashed on 1000 brands of 60 popular prescription medicines by up to $14 a script.
Thousands of families will pay less for prescription drugs, while taxpayers who subsidise the cost of medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme will save $1.9 billion over five years.
Drug companies hope the savings will also help the Government list new drugs on the taxpayer-funded PBS, with a swag of new treatments for cancer, arthritis and kidney failure to also join the taxpayer-subsidised medicines scheme from today.
A comprehensive analysis of the savings for families prepared by the Health Department for The Sunday Times readers reveals drugs to lower cholesterol, treat high blood pressure, osteoporosis, depression, heart failure and reflux will be reduced in price, starting today.
Because the price of the drugs will now fall below the current co-payment for prescription medicine of $35.40, patients will secure big savings and pharmacists can compete on price. Pensioners and concession-card holders will continue to pay $5.80 a script.
"This is great news for millions of Australian patients who will see additional money in their pockets," Health Minister Tanya Plibersek said.
"The Gillard Government is making sure patients will have greater access to the medicines they need at reduced prices for conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, epilepsy, depression and pain relief."
The savings are the product of new agreements struck by the Gillard Government and drug companies on price disclosure.
In some cases the price of popular cholesterol-lowering drugs will fall by $14 a script. The average cost saving to consumers is $3 a script.
The main reason for the price of drugs falling is the rise of generic medicines that have the same active ingredients as brand-name alternatives.
"These are big savings that go straight to consumers' hip pockets," Medicines Australia's Dr Brendan Shaw said.
"The price cuts agreed will also deliver the Government $1.9 billion in savings. That will provide the financial headroom to bring new medicines on to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
goo.gl/jYuiI