MEDIA RELEASE:
Embargoed 00.01 hrs Friday 1st September 2023
Arthritis Australia welcomes
start of 60-day scripts
[Sydney, Australia] Arthritis Australia has welcomed the start of access to 60-day scripts, with the first tranche of commonly used medicines able to be prescribed from September 1 2023.
“From today we will see the cost of many common medicines halved for people with chronic disease. This will provide much needed cost of living relief for many who have waited long enough for cheaper medicines,” said Arthritis Australia CEO Jonathan Smithers.
“This reform is a no-brainer when you consider that 60 and even 90-day scripts have been available to people in similar countries for years now. Living with a chronic condition, such as arthritis, is incredibly expensive, and we never want to see people forced to choose between paying for their medicines or keeping the lights on,” he added.
The measures will allow a 60-day supply of some arthritis medicines to be dispensed, with consumers potentially saving hundreds of dollars a year. It will also allow doctors to provide one prescription for 12 months, with appropriate patients, reducing the number of appointments required and freeing up GP appointments for those who really need them.
About Arthritis Australia
Arthritis Australia is the peak national body for arthritis, advocating on behalf of over 3.6 million Australians living with arthritis, and working with many other arthritis organisations to deliver information and support to people living with more than 100 types of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions. We are a leading non-government funder of arthritis research in Australia and advocate for policies, programs and funding initiatives that will improve the health and wellbeing of people living with arthritis.
For more information visit: arthritisaustralia.com.au
-- ends --
Issued by Cube on behalf of Arthritis Australia. For more information, please contact:
Anne-Marie Sparrow on 0417 421 560.
Available for interview: Jonathan Smithers, CEO, Arthritis Australia