“The Guild welcomed the focus on health in the campaign with historic investments in Medicare and cheaper medicines,” Pharmacy Guild of Australia, National President Professor Trent Twomey said.
“Before the election was called, the Albanese Government committed to cutting the PBS general co-payment from $31.60 to $25.The commitment built on the first reduction to the co-payment in the PBS’s 75-year history, in Labor’s first term.
“We look forward to this landmark change taking effect from 1 January 2026, when more than 4 million Australians every week will pay no more than $25 for their PBS-listed medicines – a saving of $6.60 per script. The change will benefit the more than 20 million Australians who don’t hold a concession card.
Over four years, this puts $689 million back in the pockets of patients.”
Professor Twomey said Labor’s policy to inject a record investment of $8.5 billion in Medicare would significantly build on Australia’s health system which was already the envy of the world.
“Cheaper medicines and free GP consultations can only mean better health outcomes for more Australians.
“We also look forward to continuing to work with the Albanese Government to build on its reforms to expanding Australian women’s access to the frontline health services they depend on, such as contraception and menopause management.
“Community pharmacy is the nation's most accessible frontline health destination, and it just makes sense that women can visit a community pharmacy to get a script for their everyday reproductive and hormonal medicine needs.
Professor Twomey recognised the Labor Government’s unequivocal commitment to community pharmacy location and ownerships laws which ensure community pharmacies are owned and operated by qualified pharmacists and that pharmacies are distributed in a way that ensures accessibility for all Australians, particularly rural and underserved areas.