Announcement date
30 March 2026
Link to announcement
https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026L00396/latest/text
Problem being addressed
The National Health (Pharmaceutical benefits—early supply) Instrument 2026 removes patient incentives to obtain excess supplies of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines in advance of treatment needs which leads to waste and unused medicines in the community.
The National Health (Pharmaceutical benefits—early supply) Instrument 2015 (the instrument) was due to sunset on 1 April 2026.
Proposal
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing proposed to remake the instrument without significant amendments. This ensures that if a medication listed in the instrument is supplied too early, the cost of that prescription will not count the patients' PBS Safety Net threshold.
Assessment comments
Consistent with the Government's Policy Impact Analysis requirements for sunsetting instruments, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has certified that the instrument is operating effectively and efficiently in lieu of preparing an Impact Analysis for remaking the Instrument. This assessment was informed by consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Regulatory burden
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, using the Australian Government’s Regulatory Burden Measurement framework, estimates no change in the average annual regulatory costs burden to people, business or community organisations in remaking the instrument.