Closing the Gap Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

A PBS News Update

Ref: ** Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) | Closing the Gap (CTG) PBS Co-payment Program **

Expansion of the Closing the Gap Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Co-payment Program – Information for First Nations People

What is the Closing the Gap (CTG) Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Co-payment Program?

The CTG PBS Co-payment Program improves access to affordable PBS medicines for First Nations people living with, or at risk of, chronic disease.

Under this program, eligible First Nations people who are registered on the CTG PBS Co-payment Register and who would normally pay the full general PBS co-payment amount, pay the concessional rate when obtaining PBS medicines from their local community pharmacy, approved medical practitioner, or private hospital. Eligible patients who would normally pay the concessional rate receive their PBS medicines for free, without having to pay a co-payment.

What is changing?

From 1 July 2024 the CTG PBS Co-payment Program has been expanded to apply to all PBS medicines dispensed by community pharmacies, approved medical practitioners, and private hospitals.

Read more

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions and further information for First Nations people, community pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, prescribers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners are provided at the links below:

• CTG PBS Co-payment Program – Frequently Asked Questions (PDF 796KB) – (Word 3.4MB)
• Information for First Nations People (PDF 711KB) – (Word 3.4MB)
• Information for Community Pharmacies (PDF 718KB) – (Word 3.4MB)
• Information for Hospital Pharmacies (PDF 782KB) – (Word 3.4MB)
• Information for Prescribers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners (PDF 786KB) – (Word 3.4MB)

** Ref: Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) | Closing the Gap (CTG) PBS Co-payment Program **

Call our Helpline

If you have questions about things like managing your pain, your musculoskeletal condition, treatment options, telehealth, or accessing services be sure to call our nurses. They’re available Monday to Thursday  between 9am-5pm on 1800 263 265; email (helpline@muscha.org) or via Messenger.