One in 10 patients may not be filling GP scripts, survey suggests
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia's research of 2000 patient shows women are struggling the most with paying the PBS co-payment
More than one in 10 patients say they have left prescriptions unfilled because they cannot afford the PBS co-payment, new research suggests.
Overall, some 13% of Australians say they have gone without prescriptions in the past three years due to cost, according to the Pharmacy Guild of Australia commissioned survey of more than 2000 patients.
Women aged 35-54 years old are struggling the most, with 38% saying they found it difficult to pay for their PBS medicines over the three-year study period.
The guild says the maximum PBS co-payment — which hit $42.50 on 1 January — has more than doubled since 2000 and is on track to reach $50 by the end of the decade.
