Stronger PBS

More affordable medicines are just the beginning. The recent PBS co-payment reduction is a win for Australians. It makes it easier for people to access the medicines they need without financial strain. However, affordability is only one part of the solution. Too many Australians are still waiting up to 466 days for access to new, life-saving treatments. A Stronger PBS means acting faster—cutting wait times to 60 days once a medicine is deemed safe and effective. Now is the time to build a PBS that works for everyone. Pledge your support for a #StrongerPBS. https://lnkd.in/gUKZgzEz #StrongerPBS #StrongerMedicare #TheBestMedicine #FasterAccess #FairerHealthcare

Stronger PBS welcomes the Government’s announced reduction in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme co-payment to $25, designed to reduce Australians' cost-of-living pressures. This reduction in the PBS co-payment is a step in the right direction—making essential medicines more affordable for millions of Australians. Lowering costs helps ensure that no one has to choose between their health and household budget. Australia’s PBS is a cornerstone of the nation’s healthcare system. It is a crucial part of Medicare and is a scheme Australians rely on to stay healthy and productive. Medicine access and affordability are essential. The PBS has been delivered to Australians since 1945, and it is time for the government to do more work to ensure timely access to the latest innovations. We need a PBS that is faster, fairer, and fit for the future—which includes cutting medicine wait times from 466 days to just 60 days once a treatment is approved and deemed safe and effective. ?? Join us in calling for a #StrongerPBS. Together, we can ensure that all Australians get the medicines they need, when they need them. https://lnkd.in/gUKZgzEz ?#StrongerPBS #TheBestMedicine #CutTheWait #StrongerMedicare #FasterAccess #AffordableMedicines

Australians support a #StrongerPBS—now we need action. ?? ? 78% of people support adding more medicines to the PBS or increasing subsidies. ?Nearly two in three Australians rely on PBS medicine right now. Yet thousands of Australians or their family and friends are still waiting for approved and effective medicines to become available on the PBS. Having access to the right medicine – the very best medicine – at the right time is vital. Without it, diseases often progress, quality of life suffers, and lives may be lost. Stronger PBS aims to cut PBS wait times from 466 to 60 days once a new medicine is deemed safe and effective. Patients shouldn’t be left waiting. Pledge your support for a #StrongerPBS today. >> https://lnkd.in/gUKZgzEz #StrongerPBS #StrongerMedicare #FasterAccess #MedicinesMatter *On 14 February, the AFR reported on findings from JWS, True Issues 37, February 2025.

Did you know that thousands of Australians have to wait 466 days for the medicines they need? Together, we can change that. A stronger Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme would give Australians access to new medicines as soon as they are deemed safe and effective by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Affordable medicines shouldn’t have to wait. Take action for a stronger PBS now. https://lnkd.in/gUKZgzEz #StrongerPBS #thebestmedicine #CutTheWait #StrongerMedicare

Every Australian will benefit from medicines delivered through the PBS during their lifetime. In fact, nearly two in three people currently living in Australia take at least one PBS medication. Yet thousands of Australians or their family and friends are still waiting for approved and effective medicines to become available on the PBS. Having access to the right medicine – the very best medicine – at the right time is vital. Without it, diseases often progress, quality of life suffers, and lives may be lost. Australia is becoming the world’s biggest waiting room. #StrongerPBS aims to cut PBS wait times from 466 to 60 days once a new medicine is deemed safe and effective. Pledge your support: https://lnkd.in/gUKZgzEz #StrongerPBS #StrongerMedicare #TheBestMedicine #CutTheWait

Behind every cancer diagnosis is a unique human story—stories of resilience, grief, hope and healing. “You're thrown into this world, and suddenly, you really have to advocate for yourself. I shouldn't have to do that, and sometimes that's really hard.” Maria, living with breast cancer, found a promising treatment overseas. But in Australia, delays in PBS approvals mean she and many others can’t access the latest life-saving treatments when they need them most. PBS delays impact people’s ability to work and enjoy time with their family and friends and can also affect their mental health. The pressure on their loved ones means delays in access to treatment, creating a ripple effect that is felt by the whole community. On World Cancer Day, let’s honour those we’ve lost, support those living with cancer, and raise awareness for better prevention and treatment options. #WorldCancerDay?#CancerAwareness?#StrongerPBS?#StrongerMedicare

Every Australian deserves access to life-changing medications. It’s time for a #StrongerPBS Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is one of the world's most successful public health initiatives. Still, the process of assessing medicines for inclusion in the PBS hasn’t been updated for decades. A Stronger PBS would give Australians access to new medicines as soon as they are deemed safe and effective by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Join the growing call for a Stronger PBS. The time to act is now. https://lnkd.in/eWidU3xa #StrongerPBS #TheBestMedicine #CutTheWait #StrongerMedicare

Doctors and patients agree: A stronger PBS is essential for a healthier Australia. “We hope that the time frame can be greatly reduced so that individual patients can benefit from these considerable advances in medical technology.” - Professor John Rasko AO. Approved medicines on the PBS sooner reduce hospital and GP visits. #StrongerPBS aims to cut PBS wait times from 466 to 60 days once a new medicine is deemed safe and effective. Join the growing call for a Stronger PBS. The time to act is now. https://lnkd.in/eWidU3xa #StrongerPBS #TheBestMedicine #CutTheWait #StrongerMedicare

Looking to access innovative medicines more rapidly? Discover why Australia urgently needs a #StrongerPBS in this latest article. Right now, thousands of people with health conditions are waiting for medicines to be made available on the PBS. Australians wait on average 466 days for access to innovative medicines; three to four times longer than residents of many other countries. It has been more than 30 years since the PBS has been comprehensively reviewed. There have been enormous leaps in science and innovation since the 1990s, and the current infrastructure simply does not reflect this. This can mean excessive delays for important and groundbreaking new treatments, including medicines for cancer, heart disease and diabetes. The StrongerPBS campaign aims to reduce PBS wait times to 60 days. Ways you can help Australia get a #StrongerPBS: ? Sign up to the #StrongerPBS campaign: strongerpbs.com.au ? If you have been personally affected by a lack of access to medicines, you can share your own experience via [email protected]. ? Ask your general practitioner (GP) or pharmacist about the campaign on your next visit. ? Spread awareness on social media using the #StrongerPBS hashtag. ? Ensure your friends, family, and anybody directly affected by PBS limitations are aware of the campaign and its importance. Join other Australians in pledging support for a Stronger PBS. #StrongerPBS #StrongerMedicare #CutTheWait #TheBestMedicine Read the full article below.

"It's heartbreaking to know that there's a drug out there that can work for a patient, but it isn't approved through the PBS for that indication." - Meredith, CEO NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia. There are more than 25,000 Australians living with neuroendocrine cancer, but many are unable to access the medication they need through the PBS, despite it being available for other types of cancer. “We need to strengthen the PBS by broadening the indications, so patients have access to medications that they deserve.” Pledge your support for a Stronger PBS >> StrongerPBS.com.au #StrongerPBS #StrongerMedicare #CutTheWait #TheBestMedicine