The Australian federal government has announced that it will be reducing the cost of prescription medicines by allowing patients to double the amount of medicine they can collect on a single prescription. This means that from September 1, general patients will be able to save up to $180 per year and concession card holders will save up to $43.80 per year per medicine if their medicine can be prescribed for 60 days. The change will affect 320 products used to treat chronic conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, and cholesterol. Patients will still pay the maximum co-payment of $30, but will receive two months' supply. The government says that this change will bring Australia in line with other countries, such as New Zealand and the UK, where patients already have access to multiple-month medications on a single prescription.
Photo Credit: Christina Victoria Craft
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