Will you delay filling your prescriptions if the Federal Government increases the PBS co-payment?  Or do you know someone who will?  This is the greatest concern of COTA, the peak national organisation representing the rights, needs and interests of older Australians.

COTA Chief Executive Ian Yates spoke to the Senate enquiry into the PBS in Canberra today pointing out that many older Australians already struggle to meet the high costs of necessary medications.

“Older people are more likely to have complex and chronic conditions requiring multiple medications,” Mr Yates said.

“They are more likely to have to go to the doctor, more likely to see a specialist and more likely to be an inpatient in a hospital than younger people.

“The effect of the increased PBS co-payment then will be significant for people in the older demographic, especially with the double-whammy of the introduction of the proposed GP co-payment.

Australians will also pay an extra $5 towards the cost of each Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescription from July next year. Concession card holders will pay an extra 80 cents.

“Many older people are telling us they can’t afford all their medications now, even at the concessional rate. Instead they might only take their medicine every other day, drop some completely, or share medications with other people. Some don’t fill their scripts at all.

“This is a concerning trend which means their health deteriorates.

“Whilst the PBS co-payment may give the Government the short term savings it is looking for on the PBS expenditures, it has the potential to drive up other health costs in the longer term as people need higher levels of care for their worseing health conditions.”

Mr Yates said most older people are on low or fixed incomes and have limited discretionary income.

“The co-payment increases represent a rise of 13.3 per cent, in addition to any increase due to inflation as measured by CPI.

“It is hard to see how many older people are going to be able to absorb such an increase without sacrificing something else.

“Getting the right mediation at the right time should not depend on your ability to pay for it and older Australians should not have to choose between food, heating and medications.”

How many pharmaceuticals do you have to purchase each month?  Do you find this potential change in pricing prohibitive even at concessional prices?