This article discusses the impact on patients of
changes in copayments and safety net thresholds
(SNT) within the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
(PBS). Trends in the nominal and real values of
copayments and SNTs are examined, as are
changes in the numbers of types of patients. The
relationship between the number of safety net
cardholders and copayments and SNTs is estimated.
Increases in the number of copayments
necessary to reach the safety net threshold
restrict the number of patients able to benefit from
this provision. Policy for determining the levels of
copayments and safety net thresholds needs to be
put on a rationale basis in a way similar to the
determination of prices for PBS medicines.