Blooms The Chemist, Chemist Warehouse, and Cincotta Chemist. Can anyone add to these?
Chemists Offering $1 Discount on PBS Scripts
Peck on 06/01/2016 - 15:39
Last edited 06/01/2016 - 16:12 by 1 other user
Last edited 06/01/2016 - 16:12 by 1 other user
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Any competition is good for consumers, no matter how little. It is the Government who has limited the discount to $1. If you are a pensioner then $1 can be 16% off.
For ordinary patients with no concession entitlements, you'd have a free box after 2 years.
Pensioners etc are paying $6.20 on most scripts, and so average is about 1 free in 6.
priceline pharmacy also have the $1 reduction.
Yes, I saw this on an ad around New Years.
I didn't really understand what the promotion was or why they were having it.
I thought the government scripts were a fixed price and the pharmacies weren't allowed to set any promotional prices.
I'm guessing the rules have changed somewhere and some of the big chains are looking for more customers.
Its not just the big chains - I work for a country town independent pharmacy and we're passing on the discount to our customers. Its not 'promotional' though - its an optional reduction in the patient co-pay introduced by the government
According to the government PBS site:
"From 1 January 2016, pharmacists may choose to discount the PBS patient co-payment by up to $1.00. This is not mandatory and it is the pharmacist’s choice whether or not to provide a discount. The option to discount the co-payment does not apply for prescriptions which are an early supply of a specified medicine."I couldn't tell you whether general patients can receive the discount - haven't fully read the paperwork at work yet. But those with concession cards are eligible for the $5.20 charge if scripts are obtained no earlier than 20 days apart. Any sooner and they go back to $6.20.
Its not a huge saving, but a saving nonetheless.Thanks for the clarification.
It's probably their generic brands that they are discounting
So I understand, this is only for people with health care cards who get cheap scripts already?
I believe most discount chemists do cheaper scripts for people that aren't on concessions already (generic brands)It is for everyone, not just HCC holders.
If you do not have a HCC, then the normal prescription rate is $38.30. Chemists who agree to pass on the $1.00 discount will sell it to you for $37.30.
Sorry, still don't understand. I don't have a HCC but I never pay 37.30 for scripts. I usually pay between $8 and $15 depending on what it is, like just antibiotics etc. I don't have any regular medication.
Are antibiotics PBS medication? Why are they less than 38.30 if that's the price the govt sets?$38.30 is probably the maximum price for a PBS script. The rest is covered by the government scheme. Most antibiotics and other medications are under the $38.30 maximum.
$38.30 is the MAXIMUM price you will pay for a script if you don't have a HCC.
Yes, some medicines are cheaper than that. Obviously what your doctor prescribes for you, can be dispensed at a cheaper rate. You may find the full price on the label on your packaging. It is on mine anyway - from Guardian Chemist.
For example, full price of my regular prescription medicine is $41.25. Costs me $6.20 as I have a Pension Card, would cost you $38.30 without the HCC card. PBS pays the balance - or should I say - the taxpayer!
And yes, antibiotics are PBS medicines.
$1?
Don't spend it all at once, folks.