The pharmaceutical benefit scheme (PBS) Flashcards
What is the PBS
The PBS is a vital component of the Australian health care system. It allows medicare card holders to access over 4000 common prescription medications at a significantly reduced rate.
PBS aim
The PBS today no longer provides medications for free, but aims to provide timely, reliable and affordable access to a wide range of necessary medications.
2017 patient co-payment
= $38.80 or $6.30 for concession card holders
When the cost of the prescription is greater than the co- payment amount, the remaining cost of the medication is paid by the government.
PBS in promoting health
The PBS plays an important role in promoting health in Australia by making medications more readily available to all Australians in the aim to reduce the impact of health conditions therefore reducing illness, improving life expectancy and health status.
Sustainability of PBS
- Only reliable medications are added to the PBS that would meet the needs of current generations and improve the health of people in the future.
- The PBS aims to be economically sustainable by subsidizing the cost of a wide range of essential medications to treat chronic conditions to make them more affordable to all Australians so they can meet their needs.
Access of PBS
- The PBS provides timely access to medication at local pharmacies at a reduced cost. This quick access to medication will also lead to a reduced in the time spent in ill health. The low cost medication increases affordability and therefore more financially accessible.
Equity of PBS
- As the PBS is available to all Australians it does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, gender, income, location or health status.
- The PBS also has a safety net for people with chronic illness or concession card holders therefore reducing the cost for the PBS medications and providing support to these who need it.
