The pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS) is the way in which medicines can be supplied in Australia at a discounted price for patients, whilst still insuring a minimum contribution is made.
There are two types of PBS beneficiaries, general patients and concessional patients. There is a reciprocal healthcare agreement with some countries and so overseas visitors may also be entitled to certain benefits.
Under PBS the maximum patient contribution for any item is $35.40 (or $5.80 for concessional patients), although other fees may apply. The patient contribution fee will vary from drug to drug and even between brands of the same medicine.
A safety net exists so that once a patient spends a certain amount on Pharmaceutical benefits their contribution will drop to either the concessional rate, if they are a general patient or free for concessional patients.
For certain more expensive brands there is also a brand premium to be paid which is in excess of the minimum patient contribution and does not count towards the patients safety net. A similar therapeutic group premium exists (i.e. for statins).
Adam
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