Stage one of the new 60 day dispensing rules comes into effect on 1 September, 2023.
To be eligible to receive 60 days’ supply of medication, you will need a 60 day prescription from your GP or specialist. Doctors will have the option to prescribe medicines for either 30 or 60 day prescriptions, according to their professional clinical judgement.
The first stage of medicines eligible for 60-day prescriptions will support patients who are stable on their current treatment and living with ongoing health conditions including:
- cardiovascular disease
- gout
- high cholesterol
- osteoporosis
- Crohn disease
- heart failure
- hypertension
- ulcerative colitis.
In total, there are 92 medicines eligible for 60 day prescribing in Stage One. For a full list of these medications, visit: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/60-day-dispensing/pbs-medicines-current-item-codes
What you will pay
- Health care card (concession) patients with a 60 day prescription for an eligible medication will receive 60 days’ supply for the price previously paid for 30 days’ supply
- Non concession patients with a 60 day prescription for an eligible medication currently paying the $30 co-payment* will receive 60 days’ supply for the price previously paid for 30 days’ supply
- Non concession patients with a 60 day prescription for an eligible medication currently paying less than the $30 co-payment* will receive 60 days’ supply for slightly more than the price previously paid for 30 days’ supply
*Many PBS subsidised medicines cost significantly more than the amount you pay towards the cost, which is known as the co-payment.
Managing your prescriptions
Using the MedAdvisor app is a great way to keep track of your prescriptions.
More details
For further information on 60 day prescriptions, please visit: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/60-day-prescriptions
