Coalition matches Labor's $25 PBS cap pledge
Make us a preferred source
Make us a preferred source on Google
More news: The Coalition says it will match Labor's promises to cap the cost of PBS medicines at $25 per script if it wins the election.
"We will lower the PBS co-payment to $25 and continue our longstanding policy of listing all approved and recommended medicines on the PBS — and in a timely manner," the opposition's health spokeswoman Anne Ruston said in a statement.
The pledges from the major parties come as US pharmaceutical companies are putting pressure on the Trump administration to impose "reciprocal" tariffs on Australia in response to the PBS, which they say is "egregious and discriminatory".
Health Minister Mark Butler told Seven's Sunrise program on Thursday morning that "there is no way the PBS will be up for negotiation with any overseas government".
"This is not a new position from Big Pharma in the US. Obviously, they want to sell their medicines at top dollar, we want to make them cheaper, there's an inherent conflict there," he said.
Medical scripts to cost no more than $25 under new Labor promise
The news: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will on Thursday promise that Australians won't pay any more than $25 for a script under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), in a further sign that Labor is making health a key plank of its re-election bid.
The context: Following the Albanese government's $8.5 billion promise to deliver an additional 18 million bulk-billed GP visits each year, the prime minister will commit to a more than 20% cut in the maximum cost of PBS medicines, saving Australians around $200 million each year.
The initiative, which will be in next Tuesday's budget, will cost a total of $689 million and mean that four out of five PBS medicines will become cheaper.
The last time that PBS medicines cost no more than $25 was 2004.
What they said: “Cheaper medicines is another way we are helping with the cost of living, while putting downward pressure on inflation — our number one focus," Albanese said.
“With cheaper medicines, more free GP visits and a stronger Medicare, we say to Australians: we’ve got your back.”
Health Minister Mark Butler said: “The last time Australians paid no more than $25 for a PBS medicine was over 20 years ago. Cheaper medicines are good for the hip pocket and good for your health.
“When Peter Dutton was health minister, he tried to make medicines cost more, not less.
“Peter Dutton tried to jack up the cost of medicines by up to $5 a script and put free medicines for sick pensioners even further out of reach.
“In opposition, Peter Dutton and the Liberals voted to block cheaper medicines six times
“The contrast this election is clear: cheaper medicines with a re-elected Albanese Government, or the frankly terrifying legacy of Peter Dutton, who wants medicines to cost more, not less.”
The sources: PMO, Mark Butler interview transcript, Anne Ruston media statement
