The Federal Government is facing a growing backlash over its refusal to allow patients to collect 60 rather than 30 days’ worth of prescription medicines per pharmacy visit after lobbying by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.

The proposal, covering 143 PBS-listed medicines, was drawn up by the PBAC and was meant to offer patients with chronic conditions “financial and convenience benefits”.

Savings for patients would have topped $200 million a year, but the Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, shelved the plan after the guild claimed it was “catastrophic” and would result in mass job losses and pharmacies going “to the wall”.

Mr Hunt had earlier promised to adhere to all PBAC recommendations for new and amended drug listings.