From September 1, 2024, several asthma medications were included to the 60-day Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescriptions list.
People with asthma will have the option to receive double the amount of medicine for the cost of one prescription, which may mean less frequent visits to the pharmacy, and fewer General Practitioner appointments per for repeat scripts.
Sixty-day prescribing was launched September 1, 2023, for a wide range of stable, ongoing health conditions such as high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.
Director of Health Knowledge and Translation Anthony Flynn said the initiative would assist people with asthma in all parts of life.
“Australia has one of the highest rates of asthma in the developed world. Asthma Australia welcomes this initiative by the Australian Government. It has the potential to assist people with asthma to save time, money and better manage their condition,” he said.
Asthma Australia hopes that cheaper preventer inhalers will allow more people with asthma to move towards better asthma management.
“Of the 2.8 million people with asthma in Australia, regular inhaled preventer therapy is recommended for the majority. 60-day prescribing has the potential to help millions of Australians with asthma to control their condition,” Mr Flynn said.
Australian guidelines recommend that most adults and adolescents with asthma should take a preventer inhaler, which work to minimise symptoms, prevent decline in lung function, and reduce the risk of exacerbations and asthma-related death.
Many people instead rely on reliever inhalers, which don’t prevent future flare-ups. Relievers are typically used as rescue medicines to provide quick relief of asthma symptoms rather than providing long-term asthma control.
Most asthma medicines on the 60-day prescription list are preventers.
Sixty-day prescribing may therefore assist individuals with asthma and their families to better access medicines that have the potential to lead to positive health outcomes, including improved asthma symptom control, fewer flare-ups, and improved quality of life.
Asthma Australia has a free information and support service where people can speak with an Asthma Educator about 60-day prescribing as well as what stable asthma may mean for them.
It operates 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, and people can call on 1800 278 462.
