Plan for OTC drugs to be taken off PBS

GPs will no longer be able to prescribe over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol and antacids on the PBS as part of plans being considered for May's budget.

Citing "perverse incentives" and a need to make the PBS more sustainable, Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley said there were potential savings of hundreds of millions of dollars a year to be made from removing products such as paracetamol from the PBS.

The plan will also cover products such as loperamide, laxatives and anti-dandruff shampoos, which are