This is apparently going to save a huge amount of money, with Panadol and other painkillers to be removed from the PBS because while taxpayers fork out nearly $7 for a packet to be subsidised, you can buy the same packet over the counter at Coles or Woolies for $2. Sensible solution.

the Tax payer has been making Chemists Millionaires with these pathetic subsidies...  >:(

all they do is put pills in a little bottle from the big bottle... any halfwit can do that..

the tax pay is also subsiding these people who waste time in going to the doctors when all they needed was a panadole ...  ::)

President Elect, The Mechanic wrote on Apr 27^th, 2015 at 7:31am:

the Tax payer has been making Chemists Millionaires with these pathetic subsidies...  >:( all they do is put pills in a little bottle from the big bottle... any halfwit can do that.. the tax pay is also subsiding these people who waste time in going to the doctors when all they needed was a panadole ...  ::)

They do more than that - much more. Some medicines need to be made on-site, requiring specific chemistry knowledge. My 4 year-old son required antibiotics last week for tonsillitis and the chemist needed me to tell him my son's weight, as the medicine has to be created using a formula based on the patients' weight. Don't belittle the job of a chemist - they do so much more than just hand out packets of pills.

Are you sure these are the normal 500mg Paracetemol we can buy in woolies that are being subsidised at cemists, or are they the stronger ones like Panadol Forte?

Surely the normal 500mg paracetamol arent being subsidised?

Doesnt seem that way when I have bought them at Chemists, usually dearer than the supermarkets

Redmond Neck wrote on Apr 27^th, 2015 at 8:11am:

Are you sure these are the normal 500mg Paracetemol we can buy in woolies that are being subsidised at cemists, or are they the stronger ones like Panadol Forte? Surely the normal 500mg paracetamol arent being subsidised? Doesnt seem that way when I have bought them at Chemists, usually dearer than the supermarkets

When the government want to save some $'s don't expect that they will be telling the truth in support of their case.

Redmond Neck wrote on Apr 27^th, 2015 at 8:11am:

Are you sure these are the normal 500mg Paracetemol we can buy in woolies that are being subsidised at cemists, or are they the stronger ones like Panadol Forte? Surely the normal 500mg paracetamol arent being subsidised? Doesnt seem that way when I have bought them at Chemists, usually dearer than the supermarkets

This is what I would assume.  Who would even bother filling a script for paracetamol anyway?

Armchair_Politician wrote on Apr 27^th, 2015 at 6:18am:

This is apparently going to save a huge amount of money, with Panadol and other painkillers to be removed from the PBS because while taxpayers fork out nearly $7 for a packet to be subsidised, you can buy the same packet over the counter at Coles or Woolies for $2. Sensible solution.

I have always thought it was a joke.,. myself take panadol osteo and asprin... and when I hit the freebee mark.. I get them for nothing..pathetic... good on em..

when I think of people selling raffletickets to get their child medicine it makes me cringe.

Stratos wrote on Apr 27^th, 2015 at 8:47am:

Redmond Neck wrote on Apr 27th, 2015 at 8:11am: Are you sure these are the normal 500mg Paracetemol we can buy in woolies that are being subsidised at cemists, or are they the stronger ones like Panadol Forte? Surely the normal 500mg paracetamol arent being subsidised? Doesnt seem that way when I have bought them at Chemists, usually dearer than the supermarkets This is what I would assume.  Who would even bother filling a script for paracetamol anyway?

I do... you dont check the price on the shelf if the doctor gives you a script..you just hand it over...

not good I know...but at the end of the day.. look at the money just going to emergency costs us.... thats all FREE...

they wont allow the govt to make a small charge for that service.

Redmond Neck wrote on Apr 27^th, 2015 at 8:11am:

Are you sure these are the normal 500mg Paracetemol we can buy in woolies that are being subsidised at cemists, or are they the stronger ones like Panadol Forte? Surely the normal 500mg paracetamol arent being subsidised? Doesnt seem that way when I have bought them at Chemists, usually dearer than the supermarkets

panadol osteo is...and asprin..has been for years

Armchair_Politician wrote on Apr 27^th, 2015 at 6:18am:

This is apparently going to save a huge amount of money, with Panadol and other painkillers to be removed from the PBS because while taxpayers fork out nearly $7 for a packet to be subsidised, you can buy the same packet over the counter at Coles or Woolies for $2. Sensible solution.

Actually, it’s the boxes of a hundred, the generic brand Panamax.

And you’re right. A packet of 24 Home Brand paracetemol or aspirin costs a dollar at the supermarket.

Stratos wrote on Apr 27^th, 2015 at 8:47am:

Redmond Neck wrote on Apr 27th, 2015 at 8:11am: Are you sure these are the normal 500mg Paracetemol we can buy in woolies that are being subsidised at cemists, or are they the stronger ones like Panadol Forte? Surely the normal 500mg paracetamol arent being subsidised? Doesnt seem that way when I have bought them at Chemists, usually dearer than the supermarkets This is what I would assume.  Who would even bother filling a script for paracetamol anyway?

It's just the normal 500mg paracetamol.

Once a concession card holder reaches 60 prescriptions in a year, everything else after that is free.

That's why they put over-the-counter drugs on a prescription.

cods wrote on Apr 27^th, 2015 at 9:05am:

Redmond Neck wrote on Apr 27th, 2015 at 8:11am: Are you sure these are the normal 500mg Paracetemol we can buy in woolies that are being subsidised at cemists, or are they the stronger ones like Panadol Forte? Surely the normal 500mg paracetamol arent being subsidised? Doesnt seem that way when I have bought them at Chemists, usually dearer than the supermarkets panadol osteo is...and asprin..has been for years

Are you sure about Panadol Osteo? You can buy this over the counter.

Karnal wrote on Apr 27^th, 2015 at 9:08am:

cods wrote on Apr 27th, 2015 at 9:05am: Redmond Neck wrote on Apr 27th, 2015 at 8:11am: Are you sure these are the normal 500mg Paracetemol we can buy in woolies that are being subsidised at cemists, or are they the stronger ones like Panadol Forte? Surely the normal 500mg paracetamol arent being subsidised? Doesnt seem that way when I have bought them at Chemists, usually dearer than the supermarkets panadol osteo is...and asprin..has been for years Are you sure about Panadol Osteo? You can buy this over the counter.

Yes. If you buy Panadol Osteo over the counter, the full price is $17.00, script price is $7.60

If you're in so much pain you need Panadol Osteo you should probably look at a stronger medication.

Yes you need a script for some of those so called "over the counter" painkillers.  People with chronic conditions, especially the poor will not be able to afford them.
If they do the same with antacids like Somac or Panto people suffering from chronic gastro problems like Gord will be in the same boat. In fact if they stop using them it could lead to conditions like Barrett's and even cancer and death.

what is it with this government and their attempts to penny pinch from the sick?

President Elect, The Mechanic wrote on Apr 27^th, 2015 at 7:31am:

all they do is put pills in a little bottle from the big bottle... any halfwit can do that..

finally, a job you can do and its not even in a sheltered workshop.

Redmond Neck wrote on Apr 27^th, 2015 at 8:11am:

Are you sure these are the normal 500mg Paracetemol we can buy in woolies that are being subsidised at cemists, or are they the stronger ones like Panadol Forte? Surely the normal 500mg paracetamol arent being subsidised? Doesnt seem that way when I have bought them at Chemists, usually dearer than the supermarkets

They are when supplied on prescription

For example, the full price of 100 x 500mg Panadeine is around $30.00
Supplied on prescription, to a pensioner or health care card holder, brings it down to around $6.00 - with the balance coming from the health budget



Quote:

The pharmaceutical benefits advisory committee is reviewing the PBS and the proposal to remove medications such as paracetamol and antacids has the cautious support of the opposition. Labor’s health spokeswoman, Catherine King, has called it “sensible”. Moving paracetamol off the PBS would stop pensioners using such prescriptions to get the 60 scripts a year required for all subsequent scripts to be free, the Sunday Telegraph reports. Paracetamol, which is sold in supermarkets and convenience stores as well as over the counter at pharmacies, usually costs between $2.89 and $3.50 for a pack of 20. According to figures from the Department of Health there were 6.7m scripts for paracetamol written in 2013-14 at a cost of $73m to the government. There were 1.1m scripts for aspirin, at a cost of $4m and 219,000 scripts for antacids at a cost of $2.6m. For a 100 pack of paracetamol bought with a script it usually costs $8.66 on the PBS, including a dispensing fee of $6.76, according to the department. This cost is broken down as $2.56 to the government and $6.10 to the concessional patient.

I assume the antacid refers to Nexium and Somac
Every second person over 40 is on one or the other - for LIFE - greatly reducing the risk of cancer of the oesophagus

Absolute NO BRAINER, that one

A gram of PREVENTION beats a kilogram of CURE