Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in hospitals
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is an Australian Government program that benefits Australians by subsidising medicines to make them more affordable. The PBS is part of the National Medicines Policy which aims to achieve optimal health outcomes and economic objectives.
Medications listed on the PBS are available for Australian residents who hold a current Medicare card. The Australian Government has also set up a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with certain countries, designed to give visitors from particular countries the benefits of the PBS. Australia currently has RHCAs with the:
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- Malta
- Italy
- Sweden
- the Netherlands
- Finland
- Norway
- Belgium
- Slovenia.
South Australian public hospitals participating in Pharmaceutical Reforms can access the PBS for patients on discharge and for patients attending outpatient clinics.