Page "Prescription drug" Paragraph 26

Many prescriptions issued by health practitioners in Australia are covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme ; a scheme that provides subsidised prescription drugs to residents of Australia to ensure that all Australians have affordable and reliable access to a wide range of necessary medicines.

When purchasing a drug under the PBS the maximum price a consumer pays is the patient co-payment contribution which, as of January 1, 2012 is A $ 35. 40 for general patients.

Those covered by government entitlements ( low-income earners, welfare recipients, Health Care Card holders, etc.

) and those covered under the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme ( RPBS ) have a reduced co-payment which is $ 5. 80 in 2012.

The table below indicates the changes in co-payments over the years.

These co-payments are compulsory and cannot be discounted by pharmacies under any circumstances.