Mark Butler (Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Calwell for her question. I know what a passionate advocate she is, particularly for the health and dignity of older Australians in her electorate, which is why I know she was so delighted by our government's decision to give five million older Australians access to the latest, cutting-edge shingles vaccine completely free of charge. Before 1 November they were paying $560, but now they have access to the most comprehensive shingles vaccine program on the planet. This is just one part of our commitment to strengthening Medicare through cheaper medicines.

Already this year around two million pensioners and concession cardholders have benefited from our decision last year to cut the maximum amount they pay for all their medicines by 25 per cent—the first wave of our cheaper medicines policy. That's two million pensioners and concession cardholders paying up to 25 per cent less for their medicines this year. General patients are getting cheaper medicines too through the biggest cut to the price of medicines in the 75-year history of the PBS from 1 January—the second wave of our cheaper medicines reforms. This year general patients will have saved almost $¼ billion from that measure alone. From 1 September four million Australians were able to go to their doctor and ask for a 60-day prescription for around 100 common medicines for ongoing health conditions—the third wave of our cheaper medicines reforms.

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