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Starting next year, Australians would pay no more than $25 for their prescription medicines listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) under an election commitment from Labor. This change, which the Coalition has also committed to, aims to make medicines more affordable for most people.
The co–payment reduction to $25 could save non-concession patients up to $6.60 per prescription, but only for PBS medicines that attract the $31.60 maximum co-payment. This change is intended to make these medicines more affordable for Australians who do not hold a concession card.
The new co-payment reduction will take effect from 1 January 2026. Kate Miranda, CEO of Asthma Australia, said: “We welcome the bipartisan support for reducing the cost of medicines. This is an important measure that will improve the affordability of medicines, particularly for people with chronic conditions like asthma.
“Many people with asthma have compromised their prescribed preventer use due to cost. By reducing the maximum PBS co-payment and introducing 60-day prescribing, more people will have access to essential asthma prevention, leading to better management and improved health outcomes.”
The recent announcement follows a previous reduction in 2023, when the co-payment was lowered from $42.50 to $31.60. Pensioners and concession card holders will continue to have the cost of their PBS medicines frozen at $7.70 until 2030.
For more information:
Contact Trinity Frederick, 0413 99 22 82
ABOUT
Asthma Australia is the nation’s peak body representing more nearly 2.8 million Australians living with asthma. We’ve been here since 1962 and even though a lot has changed since then, asthma continues to claim a life each day and is the number one health condition burdening Aussie children. Asthma is an inflammatory condition of the airways, restricting airflow and can be fatal. There is no cure, but most people with asthma can experience good control.