FORGOTTEN HISTORY: Pharmaceutical benefits scheme | History Defined

Chronic patients get most relief in medicine cost cut

Patients could save almost $7 on each prescription as the government promises to make medicines cheaper in a move supported by the coalition.

AAP · Mar 19, 2025

Considering going off antidepressants? Here's what to think about first

Mental health is key to health and wellbeing. Yet two in five Australians aged 16 to 85 (44%) experience a mental illness during their lifetime, commonly anxiety or depression. And more than 32 million antidepressant prescriptions are dispensed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme each year for these diagnoses.

The Conversation · Feb 27, 2023

New year rings in federal policy changes

Federal policy changes taking effect on January 1 range from increased fines to cheaper medicine under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

AAP · Dec 31, 2022

Cheaper medications as Albanese government eyes overhaul of PBS list

The government will slash the cost of popular medications as it begins what it says is the biggest shakeup to the PBS in its 75-year history.

The New Daily · Sep 26, 2022

Migraine, ulcer treatments to be cheaper

Australian patients will save up to $130 million with new medicines being listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from the beginning of October.

AAP · Sep 26, 2022

Kidney disease drug dapagliflozin added to Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

Lachlan Ross, who describes his more than a decade-long battle with kidney failure as "very long, and very hard", says chronic kidney disease — which Indigenous residents of remote Central Austral are up to 30 times more likely to suffer from — has no quick fix.

ABC News · Aug 31, 2022

COVID-19 antiviral treatments are on the table for more Australians. What are antivirals and how do they help stop the spread of coronavirus?

More than 73,000 Australians have already benefited from COVID-19 antivirals, but what exactly are they and how do they ward off the virus?

ABC News · Jul 11, 2022

Government defends pandemic payment end

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler says government payments for those isolating for COVID were never meant to be a permanent measure.

AAP · Jul 10, 2022

People at greatest risk of Covid death being prevented from accessing life-saving antivirals, RACGP says

Australia’s peak body for GPs says there is a lack of awareness about treatments, which if taken early can prevent severe disease

The Guardian - AU · May 2, 2022

Federal election: Anthony Albanese marches in Labour Day parade in Brisbane as Scott Morrison attends Eid service in Sydney

The federal election campaign sees Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese march in a Labour Day Parade in Brisbane while Prime Minister Scott Morrison attends an Eid service in Sydney.

ABC News · May 1, 2022