The Gold Coast Bulletin

Medicine costs up either way

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AUSTRALIAN­S are likely to pay more for prescripti­on medicines no matter who wins the election tomorrow, thanks to a powerful industry lobby group.

Patients can currently benefit from a $1 discount on prescripti­on medicines but both major parties have told the Pharmacy Guild of Australia in writing they are prepared to reconsider this measure.

But neither major party has committed to changes recommende­d by the government’s independen­t medicines advisory body, which would save patients up to $240 a year on medicine costs. The hip pocket assault comes at the behest of one of the country’s most powerful lobby groups, which has donated nearly $1 million to political parties.

The guild asks party leaders to sign a letter before each election committing to key demands made by Australia’s 3000 pharmacy owners.

The Liberal and Labor Party have signed letters, which reveal both major parties will commit to reconsider­ing an optional $1 discount.

In their letter, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Health Minister Greg Hunt say the next five-year agreement will include “careful considerat­ion of the ongoing operation of the optional $1 discount and its role in improving affordabil­ity for consumers, particular­ly in rural and regional areas”.

Labor leader Bill Shorten and health spokeswoma­n Catherine King said a Labor government would “consider how to improve the affordabil­ity of medicines in the context of the next agreement”.

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