THE Coalition has matched a Labor Party pledge to dump co-payments for specialised drugs used to treat cancers and chronic illnesses.
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The announcement, made on Monday, was welcomed by Far South Coast Cancer Council co-ordinator Jennifer Mozina.
“With less than a few days out from the election, this latest announcement means that all parties in NSW agree with the removal of chemotherapy co-payments,” Ms Mozina said.
“Cancer Council and NSW community members recently met with the Premier to highlight the issue of chemotherapy co-payments in NSW.”
Bega MP Andrew Constance said tens of thousands of NSW patients would benefit from the $76 million commitment if the Baird government was re-elected on Saturday.
Batehaven cancer survivor Liz Rankin said she was strongly opposed to the co-payment and that she “absolutely” supports its abolition by the Coalition.
“The Baird government is not just looking at abolishing the co-payment for cancer treatment but also for other chronic illnesses,” Mr Constance said.
“The removal of the co-payment will benefit patients living with cancer, as well as conditions such as HIV, hepatitis, Alzheimer’s disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, cystic fibrosis, psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis, severe allergic asthma and rare diseases, particularly those affecting children, including juvenile idiopathic arthritis.”
Labor’s $6.2 million policy will ditch a chemotherapy co-payment for patients in public hospitals and private patients in rural areas.
Now, patients must pay $37.70 for a script, or $6.10 if they are concessional patients, including repeats.
These highly specialised drugs have been traditionally available in hospital pharmacies only.
Recently, some community pharmacies have been permitted to dispense these drugs.
“The Baird government will remove the co-payment for all patients treated by public hospitals, including public non-admitted patients, out-patients or day patients, in-patients on discharge and privately-referred, non-admitted patients treated in public hospitals,” Mr Constance said.
“The reform will cover patients who fill their prescriptions through hospital pharmacies or community pharmacies.”
