60-day dispensing a win for patients

The AMA has been calling for the measure since it was recommended in 2018, and held meetings with all federal crossbench senators in the lead up to the vote on 17 August.

Pharmacy owners have been lobbying against the change, saying it will lead to job losses and pharmacy closures as it will halve the dispensing fees paid per script.

But AMA Queensland President Dr Maria Boulton said allowing patients access a 12-month prescription from their GP and two months of supply from the pharmacy rather than one would save patients time and money.

“We’ve been told by the government that whatever savings are made in terms of pharmacy prescribing will be reinvested back into pharmacy. Every health workforce is stretched in rural and remote areas and it is important those pharmacies have the support they need and that money is reinvested into pharmacy,” Dr Boulton told Sky News in June.

“But when I have a patient sitting across from me saying ‘Dr Maria, I’m on three medications and I’m finding it really difficult to afford them, what medicine can I do without this month?’, we need to think about the patients.”

AMA President Professor Steve Robson thanked the Senate for putting patients first.

“We thank not only the government, but all the senators who stared down the negative scare campaign against this policy,” Professor Robson said.

“This is an important day for Australian patients, who have been desperately waiting for much-needed financial relief amid this cost-of-living crisis.”

The phased introduction will begin on 1 September.