Macular Disease Foundation Australia welcomes Federal Government cost increase freeze on PBS medicines

Affording sight-saving treatments and support is a challenge faced by many people in the macular disease community.

A 2020 survey undertaken by Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) on the barriers to accessing eye injection treatments for neovascular AMD – the findings of which were included in our Federal Pre-Budget Submission 2024-25 – revealed that 29% of people were forced to cut back on expenses such as food and groceries to be able to afford treatment costs. It also showed that 69% of people have some difficulty paying their ophthalmologist fees.

This kind of evidence is a large reason why MDFA is committed to leading advocacy campaigns to spotlight the actions the Federal Government should take to make medicines cheaper. With the release of the Federal Budget 2024-25, MDFA was pleased to see some positive steps in the right direction on this issue.

One of the most significant outcomes was a one-year freeze on increases to the maximum PBS co-payment. This means that the maximum cost of PBS listed medicines for most people will remain at $31.60 until 1 January 2026. This will help the affordability of medicines, including PBS listed intravitreal injection treatment medicines.

A longer indexation freeze has been put in place for pensioners and Commonwealth concession cardholders, meaning there will be no increase to the maximum concession co-payment for prescription medicines for 5 years. The maximum cost of PBS listed medicines for pensioners and concession cardholders will remain at $7.70 until 1 January 2030.

MDFA was also pleased to see general cost-of-living relief measures to help people have more money in their pockets to pay for medicines and treatment. This includes taxpayers paying less income tax from July 2024, and the new $300 energy bill rebate to all Australian households.

While this year’s Budget has positive cost-saving outcomes, more needs to be done to ensure sight-saving treatments are accessible and affordable to people living with macular conditions. MDFA will continue to make recommendations to the Federal Government on this issue.