The decision by government to remove the $5 co-payment for prescription medicines from 1 July makes great sense and is an evidence-based decision.
Nurses Society director David Wills says scrapping the charge is a very welcome move for a range of reasons.
"Scrapping the co-payment removes a significant cost barrier to treatment."
While it will help many individuals and families on tight budgets, ensuring patients have access to required medications is likely to have real cost benefits, arguably fewer hospitalisations and use more costly services or interventions. Plus it removes collection costs.
"Removing the charge for everyone is also a major plus, as targeting is inefficient and bad in principle."
Moreover, in this instance targeting would have to be so wide it would be counter-productive.
The decision by government to remove the $5 co-payment for prescription medicines from 1 July makes great sense and is an evidence-based decision.
Nurses Society director David Wills says scrapping the charge is a very welcome move for a range of reasons.
"Scrapping the co-payment removes a significant cost barrier to treatment."
While it will help many individuals and families on tight budgets, ensuring patients have access to required medications is likely to have real cost benefits, arguably fewer hospitalisations and use more costly services or interventions. Plus it removes collection costs.
"Removing the charge for everyone is also a major plus, as targeting is inefficient and bad in principle."
Moreover, in this instance targeting would have to be so wide it would be counter-productive.