MARK BUTLER MP
MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AGED CARE
MERYL SWANSON MP
MEMBER FOR PATERSON
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
Paterson set to save on more 60-day scripts
Since January 2023 residents in my electorate of Paterson have saved $1,855,574 on cheaper medicines, with savings set to grow following an expansion of the number of medicines eligible for a 60-day script.
On Friday 1st March the Albanese Labor Government doubled the number of medicines available for a 60-day script, with a total of 184 medicines now eligible.
This means locals with ongoing health conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, breast cancer and menopause will now be able to receive a two-month supply of their medication for the price of one script.
Australians without a concession card will save up to $189 per medicine, per year. Pensioners and concession cardholders will save up to $46.20 per medicine, per year.
Locals have already been taking advantage of 60-day scripts, with
15,574 60-day scripts dispensed between September 2023 and January 2024.
Nationally, Australians have already saved over $11.7 million on almost 3 million 60-day scripts in the same time period.
Every dollar the Government saved from 60-day prescriptions has been returned to pharmacies, with new programs and payments to provide more services to Australians.
Together, these investments have already seen an extra $50 million flow into pharmacies.
The Albanese Labor Government’s measures to make medicines cheaper are delivering real cost of living relief to residents in places like Raymond Terrace, Nelson Bay, Maitland and Kurri Kurri.
You can find the full list of medicines at: www.health.gov.au/cheapermedicines
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“Cheaper medicines have helped Australians save almost $280 million since January last year, with more savings to come in 2024.
“Another 100 medicines are now available for a 60-day script, saving time and money for millions of Australians with a stable ongoing health condition, so they don’t have to choose between their health and paying the bills.
“The Albanese Government is continuing to make medicines cheaper so that all Australians can access the medication they need."
Quotes attributable to Member for Paterson, Meryl Swanson MP:
“Residents in Paterson have told me 60-day scripts are saving them time and money and preventing unnecessary trips to the GP.
“Cheaper medicines mean real cost of living relief for people in our community.
“Our community has saved $1.8 million on cheaper medicines since the start of last year, and the savings are set to continue in 2024.”
