Taking paracetamol off the PBS would be a ridiculous and dangerous proposal, Kos Sclavos, Pharmacy Guild of Australia national president believes.
Mr Sclavos slammed an article published in today’s edition of The Australian, which said pensioners would be better off buying paracetamol from a supermarket or discount pharmacy than getting a prescription.
The front-page story claimed taxpayers have been paying up to $8.32 per prescription to supply paracetamol to pensioners through the PBS, while discount pharmacies were selling the same product for $1.89.
“Normally pensioners pay a $5.60 co-payment towards the $8.32 cost of paracetamol under the PBS, and the Government pays the $2.72 balance,” the article said.
“In this case, pensioners would be better off buying the medicine at a discount chemist...
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