A landmark government policy designed to reduce the cost of medicines for Australians is falling well short of expectations, with new research revealing many people are still missing out on significant savings.
The study, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, examined the rollout of Australia’s 60-day dispensing policy for blood pressure medications since its launch in September 2023.
The policy allows eligible patients to receive two months’ worth of medication for the price of a single prescription, reducing both costs and trips to the pharmacy. But despite its promise, uptake has been slower than expected.
Researchers found that just 21.2 per cent of antihypertensive prescriptions are being written for 60 days – less than half the government’s projected 45 per cent.
The benefits for those using the policy are clear. Patients have already saved around $65 million on blood pressure medications in the first 20 months.
However, researchers say the potential savings are far greater. If uptake reached 50 per cent, patients could save up to $165 million annually, with additional savings flowing to the government.
Lead author Dr Tian Wang from The George Institute for Global Health said the financial advantages are well established – but not widely realised.
“The challenge now is making sure those benefits actually reach people,” he said.
The research points to a key issue: many Australians simply aren’t being offered the option.
Interviews with GPs across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland revealed inconsistent use of the policy. Some doctors actively recommend 60-day prescriptions, while others only provide them if patients ask – and some rarely use them at all.
Several barriers were identified. Some GPs said it was difficult to keep track of which medications qualify, while others reported that prescribing software still defaults to 30-day scripts.
There were also claims that some pharmacists were hesitant about the change, citing concerns about dispensing errors, medicine shortages, and potential impacts on pharmacy income.
To address financial concerns from pharmacies, the government introduced support payments in 2024. While the policy has delivered savings overall, much of the financial benefit so far has gone directly to patients rather than the system itself.
Experts say more needs to be done to make the policy part of everyday practice.
Suggested changes include updating GP software so 60-day prescriptions become the default, increasing awareness among patients, and ensuring both doctors and pharmacists are fully informed about the benefits.
For Australians over 60 – many of whom take regular medications – the findings highlight a simple but important takeaway: you may be able to save money, but you might need to ask.
“Most patients are still on 30-day prescriptions simply because their GP has not yet made the switch,” Dr Wang said.
With cost-of-living pressures continuing to bite, the policy has the potential to make a real difference – if more people can access it.
For now, the message is clear: if you’re on regular medication, it may be worth having a conversation with your GP or pharmacist about whether a 60-day prescription is an option.