The independent national research, by Insightfully, confirms the Australian Government was right to act quickly to bring down the cost of prescription medicines for those without a concession card
Nearly four million Australians have gone without prescriptions in the past three years as cost-of-living pressures bite.
We know that delaying or rationing medicines can lead to worsening conditions, higher hospital admissions, and greater strain on the health system.
Prof Trent Twomey
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia says the Australian Government’s decision to cut the PBS co-payment to AUD25 from January 1 2026 will make a big difference to those struggling.
PGA's National President Professor Trent Twomey stressed the importance of the price reduction for the health system.
“We know that delaying or rationing medicines can lead to worsening conditions, higher hospital admissions, and greater strain on the health system." Prof Twomey said.
"When people skip medicines because they can’t afford them, the whole health system suffers," he said.
"Cutting the PBS co-payment to AUD25 is the right call — it removes a major barrier to treatment.”
Latest findings
The latest findings* show:
- More than 1 in 5 Australians – about 3.95 million have been unable to afford a prescription in the past three years.
- 17% of patients without a concession card report being unable to afford their medicines, up 6% since 2022.
- 84% of Australians support reducing the co-payment, the highest level of support for any of the Government’s health initiatives.
“When people say they can’t afford their medicines, you know the pressure is real," Prof Twomey said.
"Cutting the PBS copayment to AUD25 was the right call because it immediately lowers the barrier to essential treatment.
“The last time medicine was this price was 2004," he said.
If the Australian Government hadn’t taken action, the cost of each prescription would have been more than AUD50.
For Australians with concession cards, PBS-scripts remain at AUD7.70.
*About the survey: The nationally representative online survey (n=3,319; fielded 27 Oct–4 Nov 2025) by Insightfully.
