Cheaper medicines
The NEMBC is proud to collaborate in partnership with the Australian Government on the Cheaper medicines campaign. The NEMBC has produced 10 ready-to-air grabs in Arabic, Cantonese, Greek, Italian, Khmer, Korean, Mandarin, Punjabi, Spanish and Vietnamese to support the campaign. We invite you to share these resources with your community.
Many people rely on medicines to manage their health, and recent changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) are helping make prescriptions more affordable for individuals and families across Australia.
If you have a Commonwealth concession card, the most you will pay per PBS prescription will remain at $7.70 until 2030.
For general patients with a Medicare card, the maximum cost of PBS medicines has been reduced from $31.60 to $25 per prescription.
The patient co-payment is the amount you pay for a PBS prescription medicine. If your medicine costs less than the maximum, the price can vary between pharmacies. You may have to pay extra for more expensive brands (those with a brand premium).
When medicines are needed regularly, even small savings can make an important difference, helping people stay on track with their treatment and overall wellbeing.
For more information on the campaign and to access other translated resources, visit health.gov.au/cheaper-medicines.
The script has been translated by professional NAATI-credentialed translators and recorded by NEMBC-affiliated voice over artists across the country.
The message is as follows:
“Many people rely on medicines to support their health.
If you have a government concession card and a prescription under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, known as the PBS, the most you will pay is 7 dollars and 70 cents for your medicine.
If you have a Medicare card, you will still be able to save money as the maximum cost has reduced from 31 dollars and 60 cents to 25 dollars.
When you need to get medicines monthly, small cost savings can make a big difference in helping you stay on track with your health.
To learn more, visit: health.gov.au/cheapermedicines
This content has been produced in partnership with the Australian Government”.
These audio grabs are now available for community radio stations and radio producers to download and broadcast.