COVID-19 antivirals are now on PBS
The Federal Government has placed two COVID-19 antiviral drugs on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for people over 70, to expand access to the treatments.
The oral pills will also be made available on the PBS to people aged over 50 with two or more risk factors for severe disease and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged over 30 with two or more risk factors for severe disease; people over 18 with compromised immune systems may also be eligible.
According to Health Minister Mark Butler, placing these antivirals on the PBS means that treatments which would normally cost more than $1,000 will be $6.80 for concession card holders and $40 for everyone else.
“COVID cases and hospitalisation numbers are climbing, particularly with the new variants. These oral antivirals dramatically reduce the risk of severe disease, particularly for older Australians, and will help keep people out of hospital.
Image: Intellec7/CC BY-SA 4.0