THOSE in need will be unable to afford essential medicines if proposed increases to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme co-payment are introduced as planned in January.
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The Pharmacy Guild of Australia said previous increases in PBS costs or changes to the safety net had resulted in patients opting not to fill original or repeat prescriptions.
The guild fears this could lead to a higher cost across the health system through a combination of increased demand for GPs and specialists as well as unnecessary hospital visits.