Retail pharmacy foot traffic to take a hit from Australia’s 60-day prescribing

But GPs are supportive of the measure.

A recent measure was reformed to increase the maximum dispensed quantity of 325 medicines for chronic illnesses in Australia from 30 days to 60 days.

This reform was announced as a measure to mitigate the cost of living pressures by cutting patient spending on medicines, as a 60-day prescription will be dispensed at the same price as patients currently pay for a 30-day prescription.
.
“Pharmacists will receive a single dispensing fee for a 60-day prescription equal to the dispensing fee for a 30-day prescription,” it added.

This was backed by GPs but retail pharmacies in the Down Under may experience an impact on their foot traffic and co-purchasing of consumer health products, the IQVIA said.

Meanwhile, IQVIA said mixed billing GPs have a higher intended uptake of 60-day prescribing GPs that operate mixed billing practices exhibited a greater intention to adopt 60-day prescribing than bulk billing GPs, both overall and for specific indications.