Arthritis Australia welcomes Green’s support for 60 day dispensing and calls on all senators to support cheaper medicines

MEDIA RELEASE

[Sydney, Australia] Arthritis Australia has called on all senators to support the implementation of 60 day dispensing from September 1 2023, to decrease the cost of medicines and improve accessibility for people with chronic illness.

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.

Arthritis Australia CEO Jonathan Smithers said “In this cost-of-living crisis, people with arthritis and other chronic diseases need the relief 60 day dispensing will provide. People living with arthritis have been telling us what a difference saving money on their medicines and GP appointments will make for them.

“We are so close to seeing those living with chronic health conditions gain financial relief and reap the benefits on September 1, and it would be incredibly disappointing to see any delay to these long overdue reforms,” he adds.

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

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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