Saving you money on medicine
Show your Medicare card and concession card/s
Each time you get a prescription filled, show the pharmacist your current:
- Medicare card
- Centrelink or DVA concession card (if you have one)
- PBS Safety Net entitlement or concession card (if you have one)
What happens if I don't show my Medicare card or concession card/s?
If you cannot show your Medicare or concession card to the pharmacist, you may have to pay the full price for your medicine. If this happens ask your pharmacist for an official PBS refund †† receipt (not just a regular docket). You may be able to get some money back by:
- visiting any Medicare office - taking your official PBS refund receipt (not the docket) to an Medicare office—you will need to show your Medicare card, as well as your concession card
or -
filling out a claim form—you can get one by visiting the Medicare website or calling 132 290 † - and posting it to (make sure you include your official PBS refund receipt):
PBS Processing Centre
GPO Box 9826 in your capital city. Important: Before pharmacies can give you a PBS subsidised medicine at the concessional rate they are required by law to check your entitlement status is valid. This is an Australian Government requirement that ensures only eligible people get PBS subsidised medicine at the concessional rate. Most pharmacists do this through Medicare Australia’s online claiming system, which accesses data directly from Centrelink while you are in the pharmacy. † Call charges apply. †† You should be aware the refund you receive may not cover the full amount you paid for your medicine.
You can ask for less expensive brands
You can ask your doctor to prescribe a less expensive brand, or your pharmacist may be able to supply a less expensive brand.
Less expensive brands are just as good. All brands of the same medicine have the same active ingredients. The only difference between one brand and another is the name, price, packaging, size and shape.
Less expensive brands meet high standards. All types of medicine in Australia are required to meet the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s high standards of quality, safety and effectiveness. The standards are the same for less expensive and more expensive brands.
Be protected by the PBS Safety Net—keep a record of your PBS medicine
If you or your family need a lot of medicine in a calendar year, the PBS Safety Net helps you with the cost of your medicine. For more information visit the PBS Safety Net.
Last updated: 15 September, 2008