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The PBS - Independent medicine & health information for consumers & professionals PBS
Show health professional infoLatest independent medicine information about the PBS, written and reviewed by experts in Australia.
The PBS is also known as the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme or Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits.
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| Title | Description | Type | Audience  |
Date* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What is a therapeutic group premium? | Explains what a therapeutic group premium is. |
FAQ | Consumers | 2012-03-15 00:00:00 |
| Are any non-prescription medicines on the PBS? | Yes. Some medicines that are available without a prescription are also subsidised if you have a prescription and meet the criteria for subsidy (e.g. nicotine patches). Ask your doctor to find out whether you can get any of the over-the counter medicines you currently take on prescription. |
FAQ | Consumers | 2012-03-15 00:00:00 |
| Are there different PBS Safety Net thresholds for singles versus families? | No. The Safety Net thresholds apply to family units and are the same regardless of whether the unit consists of one person, a couple, or a family with dependent children. |
FAQ | Consumers | 2012-03-15 00:00:00 |
| When does the 20-day rule apply to the PBS Safety Net? | If you buy certain medicines within 20 days of having bought them previously, a rule called the 'Safety Net 20-day rule' applies. In such cases, you will have to pay your usual PBS-subsidised amount for the medicine if you are already using a Safety Net Card. If you haven’t reached the threshold for the Safey Net, the cost of the medicine will not count towards your Safety Net tally. |
FAQ | Consumers | 2012-03-15 00:00:00 |
| How can I keep my medicines costs down? — FAQs | Use the PBS Safety Net, consider your medicine brand choices, including generic drugs, and have your medications reviewed. See more FAQs about buying medicines. |
FAQ | Consumers | 2011-03-15 00:00:00 |
| Where to buy medicines and why some medicines are more freely available than others | Where to buy medicines and why some medicines are more freely available than others. |
Web page | Consumers | 2012-03-16 00:00:00 |
| FAQs for Medicinewise choices. How to make choices and find good medicines information | Medicine or drug side effects, interactions and clinical trials. Find the answers to your questions here, and more. |
FAQ | Consumers | 2011-01-24 00:00:00 |
| How can I keep my medicines costs down? Independent medicine and health information | Find out how to save money on medicines by using the PBS Safety Net. Consider your medicine brand choices, including generic drugs, and have your medications reviewed. |
Web page | Consumers | 2012-03-16 00:00:00 |
| How medicines are approved for sale and PBS subsidy | RA medicine’s journey from the lab to the public, approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) & assessment for subsidy under the PBS |
Web page | Consumers | 2011-01-24 00:00:00 |
| Exenatide (Byetta) for type 2 diabetes mellitus | Exenatide byetta solution for injection 5 micrograms; exenatide byetta solution for injection 10 micrograms |
Professional publication - NPS RADAR - Review | Health Professionals | 2010-11-15 00:00:00 |
| Medicines across borders | Medicines in other countries may be different from those available in Australia so it’s important to organise your medicines before you travel. |
Consumer publication - MedicinesTalk | Consumers | 2012-01-17 00:00:00 |
| NPS reviews new medicines for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder | NPS has published independent reviews of new medicines for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bipolar I disorder and schizophrenia in the latest edition of Medicine Update. These reviews outline what the medicines are used for, who they are suitable for, how they work, potential side effects to consider and how they compare with existing treatments |
Media release | Others | 2011-12-02 19:00:00 |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples PBS listings | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples PBS listings |
Professional publication - NPS RADAR - Brief item | Consumers,Research & Evaluation community,Health Professionals | 2009-08-01 00:00:00 |
| Prescribing for up to 12 months allowed for some medicines for some people with chronic conditions | Prescribing for up to 12 months allowed for some medicines for some people with chronic conditions |
Professional publication - NPS RADAR - Brief item | Health Professionals | 2008-12-01 00:00:00 |
| New drugs added to palliative care list | Lists new drugs included in the Palliative Care section of the PBS, including benzydamine hydrochloride, lactulose mixture, naproxen, and morphine sulfate formulations. |
Professional publication - NPS RADAR - Brief item | Health Professionals | 2006-08-01 00:00:00 |
| What's on a PBS script? | Learn how to find the information you want on your PBS prescription form. |
Consumer publication - MedicinesTalk | Consumers | 2010-07-26 00:00:00 |
| MedicinesTalk No. 33 Autumn 2010 | MedicinesTalk Autumn 2010 has articles on medicine interactions, vitamins and minerals, common colds and what information is on a PBS script. |
Consumer publication - MedicinesTalk | Consumers | 2010-07-26 00:00:00 |
| Medicines and markets: will the US turn to Australia’s model? | The Obama administration faces unprecedented health policy challenges, with healthcare spending projected to reach $3.1 trillion in 2012, and many Americans don’t have adequate health insurance. |
Media release | Others | 2009-08-05 19:00:00 |
| Avoid further costs by taking your medicine as prescribed | People facing financial hardship are urged to speak to their doctor or pharmacist if they are concerned about the cost of their medicines, as suddenly stopping a prescribed medicine can have dangerous consequences. |
Media release | Others | 2009-03-19 19:00:00 |
| Private prescriptions | Learn about private prescriptions, which are those prescribed drugs not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. |
Consumer publication - MedicinesTalk | Consumers | 2005-09-01 00:00:00 |
| Keeping a lid on the cost of medicines | Learn about the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Safety Net, a scheme that entitles people to free or cheaper medicines. |
Consumer publication - MedicinesTalk | Consumers | 2004-03-01 00:00:00 |
| How ‘the system’ makes medicines available | Discover the process involved in making new prescription medicines available to consumers. |
Consumer publication - MedicinesTalk | Consumers | 2006-04-01 00:00:00 |
| A clear explanation of prescription pricing | Many Australians do not understand the complex pricing system for prescription medicines. If you’ve ever asked “How much will my prescription cost?” and were bamboozled by the answer, you are not alone. |
Media release | Others | 2009-02-02 19:00:00 |
| MedicinesTalk No. 20 Summer 2006 edition | MedicinesTalk No. 20 Summer 2006 edition, containing age-related changes in the effect of medicines, the PBS Safety Net, medicines education in ethnic schools, medicines after a hospital stay, and a poem about medicines. |
Consumer publication - MedicinesTalk | Consumers | 2006-12-01 00:00:00 |
| NPS Evaluation Report No. 6: Progress, achievements and future directions, December 2003 | Evaluation of NPS programs including activities with health professionals and consumers and the economic effect on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. |
Corporate publication - Evaluation report | Research & Evaluation community | 2003-12-01 00:00:00 |
| Authority prescriptions explained | Explains what an authority prescription is and how and when they are used. |
Consumer publication - MedicinesTalk | Consumers | 2008-03-01 00:00:00 |
| Saving money on prescription medicines | Learn about the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Safety Net, a scheme that entitles people to free or cheaper medicines. |
Consumer publication - MedicinesTalk | Consumers | 2006-12-01 00:00:02 |
| Generic medicines explained | Learn about generic drugs, and their similarities and differences to branded medicines. |
Consumer publication - MedicinesTalk | Consumers | 2007-03-01 00:00:00 |
| Safety net – definition written & reviewed by Australian experts | Safety net - Once you have reached the safety net threshold, the amount you pay for future PBS medicines is reduced for the rest of that year. |
Glossary item | Health Professionals,Consumers,Members & Stakeholders,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-01-24 00:00:00 |
| PBS listing – definition written & reviewed by Australian experts | PBS listing -Means a medicine is subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, so you pay a lower price for the medicine, the Government pays the rest. |
Glossary item | Health Professionals,Consumers,Members & Stakeholders,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-01-24 00:00:00 |
| Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) – definition written & reviewed by Australian experts | Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) - Prescription medicines on the PBS are subsidised by the Government (for Australians with a Medicare card). |
Glossary item | Health Professionals,Consumers,Members & Stakeholders,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-01-24 00:00:00 |
| Concession card holders – definition written & reviewed by Australian experts | Concession card holders – People eligible for more support by Medicare. |
Glossary item | Health Professionals,Consumers,Members & Stakeholders,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-01-24 00:00:00 |
| How are medicines approved? — FAQs | In Australia, all medicines must be approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). See more FAQs about medicines choices. |
FAQ | Consumers | 2011-01-24 00:00:00 |
| What is an ‘authority’ prescription? | Authority prescriptions are for medicines that are monitored to make sure they are prescribed as approved. See more FAQs about medicines choices. |
FAQ | Consumers | 2011-01-24 00:00:00 |
| What is the PBS? | PBS stands for Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. If a medicine is subsidised under the PBS, you pay a lower price. See more FAQs about medicines choices. |
FAQ | Consumers | 2011-01-24 00:00:00 |
| Why are some medicines subsidised on the PBS but others aren’t? | The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listing will be limited to illnesses & situations where a benefit has been proven, & where the cost is acceptable. See more FAQs about medicines choices. |
FAQ | Consumers | 2011-01-24 00:00:00 |
| Why does the PBS subsidise a medicine for some illnesses and not others? | The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listing is limited to illnesses and situations where a benefit has been proven. See more FAQs about medicines choices |
FAQ | Consumers | 2011-01-24 00:00:00 |
| Who approves medicines before they can go on sale in Australia? | The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) must approve all medicines or drugs in Australia. See more FAQs about medicines choices. |
FAQ | Consumers | 2011-01-24 00:00:00 |
| PBS bill will address a missing data link | Following the Community Affairs Legislation Committee inquiry this week into the National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) Bill 2010, NPS is hopeful this new legislation will provide a more complete picture of how the PBS is working to meet the medicines needs of Australians. |
Media release | Others | 2010-11-11 19:00:00 |
Information on this website is published by NPS — an independent, evidence based, not-for-profit organisation funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
NPS develops its information under the guidance of experts in their field, editorial panels, expert reviewers and consumers. Find out more about how we develop our content.
Date published: 2010-12-17 00:00:00
Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the date of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified health professional. Health professionals should rely on their own expertise and enquiries when providing medical advice or treatment. Where permitted by law, NPS disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer.
References to brands should not be taken as an endorsement by NPS.
