PBS
Government’s hands tied on medicinal cannabis PBS listing
Chronic pain patients who are struggling to cover the costs of medicinal cannabis treatments are being urged to talk to their pharmacists Legislation requiring medications to be approved by the …
More progress needed to Close the Gap on Indigenous health
Gaps remain in the provision of healthcare to First Nations Australians, the Productivity Commission finds The Productivity Commission’s (PC’s) latest ‘Closing the Gap’ update says more culturally-safe and convenient holistic …
60-day dispensing falling short of goal
Fewer than one-in-seven eligible prescriptions are being dispensed under the controversial 60-day policy, data reveals Uptake of 60-day prescriptions is lagging behind the Department of Health and Aged Cares forecast …
PBS issues substitution update
Bufomix Easyhaler 400/12 will become substitutable with other PBS-listed brands from 1 July The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) has confirmed an error preventing Bufomix Easyhaler 400/12 (budesonide 400 microgram/actuation + …
PBS drops signature requirement
Government confirms removal of patient signature requirement to acknowledge receipt of a pharmaceutical benefit Amendments to the National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Regulations 2017 announced today (3 April) remove the requirement …
Red tape returns to pharmacy
Pens and paper are set to return to dispensary counters as the exemption for patients to sign for prescriptions expires Requirements for patients to provide written acknowledgement for the receipt …
‘Giving three tablets is nothing’
It’s the most expensive jurisdiction in which to see a GP – yet hospital patients are discharged with as little as a couple of days’ worth of medication Olivia Collenette, …
Government’s listening to patients on ODT: Butler
Minister says government is committed to ensuring affordable access to ODT Transitional arrangements for patients undergoing opioid dependence treatment (ODT) with private providers will remain in place until 30 June …
Permanent continued dispensing a must: PSA
Australia cannot wait for natural disasters to strike before implementing measures to protect patient safety, PSA leaders say Temporary measures enabling pharmacists to provide PBS medicines to patients impacted by …
No fears over antiviral supply: Butler
Health Minister says he is “not aware” of issues with supply of antivirals, despite surging case numbers, while deferring to expert advice on calls for widened PBS eligibility Speaking at …
PBS clarifies biosimilar warning codes
Warning codes not always a block on biosimilar substitution, Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) says Pharmacists receiving PBS warning reason codes 162 and 163 when substituting a biosimilar for a reference …
Dispensing must be ‘well-funded’ in 8CPA
Plans to increase community pharmacy services will not be sustainable without appropriately funding dispensing, pharmacist says Ensuring dispensaries are well-funded will be critical to the success of the Eighth Community …