PBS Access and Sustainability Package including the Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement
Page last updated: 1 July 2020
Please note: The information on this page may no longer be current and is only included here for historical reference.
Current information is maintained on the Health.gov.au website.
The Australian Government recognises the important role that community pharmacists and pharmacies play in our health system and is committed to supporting pharmacies across Australia providing access to Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines and effective health care services.
On 27 May 2015, the Minister for Health, the Hon Sussan Ley MP, announced the Government had signed five year agreements with the Generic Medicines industry Association (GMiA) and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (the Guild) as part of a broader package of measures across the pharmaceutical supply chain.
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Access and Sustainability Package (the Package) is a group of measures which will deliver funding for community pharmacy through the Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement (6CPA)
During the first half of 2015, the Government has worked with GBMA, the Guild, Medicines Australia, the Consumer Health Forum and over 20 other stakeholders, to develop a strongly supported package of measures. The measures will support access to medicines by improving the operation of the PBS while keeping it sustainable.
- Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement
- Signed Strategic Agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and the Generic Medicines Industry Association (PDF 5.6MB)
- Minister Ley Media Release (PDF 1.3MB)
- Fact Sheet - Summary (PDF 71KB) - (Word 28KB)
Fact Sheets - PBS Access & Sustainability Measures
- Extension of Existing Pharmacy Location Rules (PDF 26KB) - (Word 511KB)
- Discounting PBS Patient Co-Payment (PDF 26KB) - (Word 511KB)
- Expansion of the Safety Net 20 Day Rule Arrangements (PDF 26KB) - (Word 511KB)
- F1 Medicines Pricing Arrangements (PDF 26KB) - (Word 511KB)
- Improvements to Price Disclosure – Remove Originator (PDF 26KB) - (Word 511KB)
- Improvements to Price Disclosure – Combination Items (PDF 26KB) - (Word 511KB)
- Improved Market Access for Generic Medicines (PDF 26KB) - (Word 511KB)
- Streamlining of Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee Processes (PDF 26KB) - (Word 511KB)
- Maintain and Refocus Fees for the Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy Medicines (PDF 26KB) - (Word 511KB)
- A Comprehensive Review of Pharmacy Remuneration and Regulation (PDF 26KB) - (Word 511KB)
- Pharmacy Remuneration (PDF 26KB) - (Word 511KB)
- Continuation of Pharmacy Programmes and Services (PDF 26KB) - (Word 511KB)
- Cost-Effectiveness Assessment of Pharmacy Programmes and Services (PDF 26KB) - (Word 511KB)
- Promoting Innovative Pharmacy through Trialling New Pharmacy Programmes and Services (PDF 26KB) - (Word 511KB)
- Removal of PBS Subsidy for certain Low-Cost, Over-The-Counter Medicines (PDF 26KB) - (Word 511KB)
- Efficient National Diabetes Services Scheme Supply and Delivery Arrangements (PDF 26KB) - (Word 511KB)
- Efficient PBS Wholesaler Arrangements (PDF 26KB) - (Word 511KB)
- Pharmaceutical Services Federal Committee of Inquiry – Operations (PDF 26KB) - (Word 511KB)
Over-the-counter items recommended for de-listing or amendment from 1 January 2016
The proposed 1 January 2016 listing changes for over-the-counter products set out below will proceed once the Departmental delegate makes the recommended legal determinations.
- List of OTC items recommended for delisting or amendment from 1 January 2016 (PDF 85KB) - (Word 62KB)
Discounting the PBS Patient Co-payment from 1 January 2016
From 1 January 2016, pharmacists and dispensing medical practitioners will be given the option to discount the PBS patient co-payment by up to $1.00.
- Discounting PBS Patient Co-payment Fact Sheet (PDF 175KB) - (Word 47KB)
- Discounting PBS Patient Co-payment – Frequently Asked Questions (PDF 186KB) - (Word 48KB)
Expanded PBS Safety Net early supply arrangements from 1 January 2016
From 1 January 2016, Safety Net early supply arrangements will be expanded to include more medicines and to better match resupply intervals to the listed quantity and use of a medicine.
- Consumer Frequently Asked Questions – early supply
- Pharmacist Questions and Answers – early supply
- List of medicines – early supply
