Millions of Australians with chronic illnesses are set to benefit from a major shake-up of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Reforms will allow Australians to purchase 60 days' worth of medication for the price of a single prescription. 

The change is set to take effect in September, and it is estimated that it will save Australians more than $1.6 billion over the next four years.

Under the new policy, at least six million Australians will be able to collect a two-month supply of medicine rather than one when they pick up their prescription. The move will mean more patients need fewer visits to their GP for repeat prescriptions.

The policy will be targeted at people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease, and it will include 320 medicines on the PBS. 

The decision to write a script that allows for two months' worth of medicine to be dispensed will be made by a patient's doctor. If there are concerns about any potential risks for the patient, the option to prescribe a one-month supply remains.

According to Elizabeth Deveny, CEO of the Consumers Health Forum of Australia, the changes will allow more Australians to afford the vital medicines they need. 

“Consumers are telling us that they can't afford their health care,” she said. 

“Many of them are really struggling to pay for things like their rent or their mortgage, and then making the decision not to pay for their medicines.”

However, the Pharmacy Guild has been staunchly opposed to the idea, arguing it could lead to supply shortages and impact patient care. 

Speaking ahead of the government's announcement, ACT Pharmacist and Capital Chemist Charnwood owner Samantha Kourtis said there would also be a huge financial cost to pharmacies. 

“We can't afford to keep our doors open, offering the same services when this comes through, as what we are now,” she said. 

“There will be cuts. We're anticipating one-third of the pharmacy employment sector will lose their jobs; that's pharmacists, nurses, pharmacy assistants.”

Despite these concerns, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners president Nicole Higgins dismissed those suggestions as alarmist. 

“We need to put patients first and we need to make sure people can have cheaper and easier healthcare and free up those GP appointments,” she said.

Pharmacists currently receive dispensing fees from the Commonwealth each time medication is sold, which cost the budget $1.67 billion in the 2021-22 financial year. 

However, the federal government argued every dollar it saved because of the changes would be reinvested back into community pharmacies.

In a statement, Health Minister Mark Butler said the announcement would benefit many Australians. 

“Every year, nearly a million Australians are forced to delay or go without a medicine that their doctor has told them is necessary for their health,” he said. 

“This cheaper medicines policy is safe, good for Australians' hip pockets and most importantly good for their health.”

The total cost of the policy change to the government will be unveiled in the May budget. 

It is important to note that not all Australians will be able to take advantage of the change, given that only a few hundred medicines are included in the announcement. 

Patients who take a lot of medicines, particularly those with chronic diseases, are advised to have a conversation with their healthcare professionals to understand what this means for them.

The full list of included medicines is accessible in PDF form, here.