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Pricing of a PBS Prescription
How PBS medicines are priced and how much they cost can be confusing. Below is information and resources for use by community pharmacies and consumers to understand the pricing and costs of PBS prescription.
Changes from January 1st 2024
| 2023 | Jan 1st 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Patients | $30.00 | $31.60 |
| Concessional Patients | $7.30 | $7.70 |
| Closing the Gap (General Patients) |
$7.30 | $7.70 |
| Closing the Gap (Concessional Patients) |
$0.00 | $0.00 |
Effective 1 January 2024
Patient Co-Payments
- Concessional patient $7.70
- General patient $31.60
The 8th Community Pharmacy Agreement, an agreement between the Minister for Health and Aged Care and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, came into effect on 1 July 2024. As part of the Agreement, the Guild succeeded in negotiating new funding that will see a one-year freeze on the maximum cost of a PBS prescription for everyone with a Medicare card. This freeze will extend up to five years for pensioners and other Commonwealth concession cardholders. Additionally, a saving of $1 on PBS medicines will be phased in for all Australians by 1 January 2029, funded by the Commonwealth Government.
Professional Fees Made Up Of
- Dispensing fees $8.67 (RP)
$10.71 (EP) - AHI fee $4.79
+5% of the amount by which the price to pharmacists exceeds $100, to a total cap of $99.28 - Dangerous drug fee $5.37
- Safety Net recording fees for items priced below
the general co-payment $1.45 (RP)
$1.87 (EP) - Allowable fee for items price below the general co-payment $3.45
- Fee for Entitlement Card issue $12.04
