Labor proposes price decrease for Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme medications

Bass Labor candidate Ross Hart, and Labor senator Helen Polley appeared alongside Pharmacy Guild of Australia Tasmania Branch President Helen O'Byrne.

The trio unveiled Labor's intention to decrease the price of medical scripts by $12.50 if successful in the upcoming federal election.

READ MORE: Commission of Inquiry: relief teacher kept in schools despite allegations

This comes after the government made a similar announcement two days ago, promising to slash $10 off scripts if re-elected.

The proposed price cut per script means the maximum price Australians would have to pay for medications listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme would drop from $42.50 down to $32.50, a 24 per cent saving.

The move was the first time the price of Government-subsidised medications had been pledged.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it could benefit the more than 19 million Australians who were without a concession card.

READ MORE: Police intercept two men riding unregistered dirt bikes in Mayfield

However, Mr Hart hit out at the originally proposed reduction, accusing the Morrison government of announcing it the day after the budget was released on May 12.

He said the party then scrapped the move, and opted to hold off on re-announcing it, preferring to do so in the marginal seat of Bass during election time.

"We saw two members of the Morrison government stand up in the house, and then in the senate announcing a reduction in the price of medicine... we then saw that getting scrubbed," he said.

"Despite the Liberals being in government for over nine years, they waited until three weeks before an election to announce very important reductions."

READ MORE: Tasmania's COVID death toll rises to 54 since 2020

Bass Liberal MHR Bridget Archer defended that decision by saying it was made to address the immediate cost of living pressures, including the safety net threshold, $250 cost of living payment, and fuel excise tax.

"I don't recall Labor announcing this policy in their budget in reply," she said.

"The announcement made on Saturday will provide permanent relief to thousands of Northern Tasmanians at the pharmacy counter, and I'm so pleased Labor agrees that it's a good idea ... I welcome their approval of our announcement."

The Albanese Labor Government's commitment to slash the cost of common medications would reduce the maximum co-payment under the PBS from $42.50 to a maximum of $30, a reduction of 29 per cent.

READ MORE: Bob Brown Foundation loses Federal Court battle to halt MMG work

Senator Polly said under Labor's proposal, a person taking one medication a month could save $150 a year, with those taking two medications a month saving up to $300 each year.

"We know out-of-pocket health care costs are too high in Australia and among the highest within OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries)," she said.

"Cutting the cost of medications will help thousands of Tasmanians who have witnessed increased cost of living ... Our changes to the PBS mean that the trip to the chemist won't be as expensive as it used to be."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: