Patients suffer due to PBS limits

Limitations on the prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listed medications come at a substantial cost to patients who can least afford it, according to the Optometrists Association Australia.

Incoming national president of the Optometrists Association Australia, Andrew Harris, said that more than 7,500 patients a year in Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland are being sent back to their GP by optometrists to get a PBS eligible script.

He said that new regulations will disadvantage patients who most need help.

“Optometrists can prescribe up to 45 medicines in most states, but under government regulations only 12 of these receive a (PBS) benefit as of 1 January, 2008,” said Mr Harris.

“Patients on low incomes, those with mobility difficulties and patients in rural and remote areas who have least access to specialist care will be most disadvantaged.

“Rather than having the patient pay the full price for the prescription an optometrist will generally send their patient to a GP who will write the script the optometrist has recommended,” he said.

“The new regulations introduced under the previous government are a step in the right direction but were limited to appease a small section of the medical fraternity.”

Optometrists Association Australia is calling on the Rudd Labor Government to review the PBS list and grant PBS access that will benefit all patients who need it.