THE HON STEPHEN JONES MP

ASSISTANT TREASURER

MINISTER FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES

MEMBER FOR WHITLAM

ALISON BYRNES MP

MEMBER FOR CUNNINGHAM

MEDIA RELEASE

New government data has revealed Illawarra and Southern Highlands residents saved a total of more than $2.5 million on prescriptions since the beginning of this year, following the Albanese Government’s cheaper medicines policy.

In January, the maximum cost of a prescription for a Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme medicine was reduced from $42.50 to $30, in the largest reduction in the 75-year history of the PBS.

More than 230,000 scripts were dispensed at the lower patient co-payment of $30 for PBS subsidised prescriptions between January and October in the Illawarra and Southern Highlands. Nationally, Australians saved a combined $200 million on almost 18 million cheaper prescriptions during this same time period.

Quotes attributable Member for Whitlam, Stephen Jones:

“Our Government’s 60-day prescription policy is part of our commitment to provide real cost of living relief for local families.”

“Anyone who has a Medicare card taking a common medicine on the PBS will save up to $180 per year, per medicine and we’re already seeing these savings occur.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes:

“We know a lot of people are doing it tough. That’s why the Albanese Government’s number one priority is addressing inflation and cost of living pressures.”

“We are delivering $23 billion in targeted relief, like making medicines cheaper, making it easier and cheaper to see a doctor, delivering cheaper child care and expanding parental leave, while not adding to inflation.”