Hello,One of my kids is on a repeat precription,could any one let me know the cost of prescriptions down there.Thanks Paul

depends on what it's for..... could you elaborate?

Depends on what it is and where you get it from. Generics are cheaper than named brands, some pharmacies are a lot cheaper than others. How long is a piece of string?

For example my head meds cost $12.50 at my local pharmacy. Same generic brand at a pharmacy warehouse 15 mins up the motorway are $6.50. The named brand at the local one work out at about $16. No brainer

You pay per item - a subsidised cost rather than a fee for the prescription.. There is a site you can use to estimate cost:

http://www.pharmeasy.com.au/default.htm

Hope this helps.

Lau

this is the only area that i am about since we arrived! cant get repeat presciption for my meds - private perscription medication so costing $90 per month for the privilidge at the moment. I need to make appt to see if there is anything remotely similar on normal script

Thanks for the link,got the information I needed,thanks to everyone else who replied to this thread

So how do you actually get the repeat prescription in Oz?
Do you have to make an appointment to see a doctor once a month? or will the doctor say give you 3 months worth of medication at a time?
Do you have to pay to see the doctor on top of paying for the medication?
My 11 year old daughter needs daily meds to control her bowel disease and I need eczema creams and a pill jab
Beth x x

Again it depends on the medication. I get three repeats at a time from the Doctor which equates to just under three months of meds. I have to see the doctor each time to make sure I'm still ok with them. Other people with different requirements can get repeats that last up to six months I think.

Thanks
My daughter has to see a consultant gastoenterologist several times a year for check-ups in the UK.
In Oz would I just ask the doctor to make a referal for her to see a consultant?
Everything seems so easy in the UK......and I don't know where to start in Oz!!!
Beth x x

I think you would just bring all the details of her treatment with you, sign up with a doctor as soon as you arrive and ask. Sounds obvious but it's so easy to get stressed about something in the future that if you were to forget it for the mo and deal with current stuff, then deal with this when you're here, it's not such a huge list of stuff on your shoulders. Does that make sense? Of course her health is a major worry for you but you won't get definitive answers until you're talking to your doctor about your situation.

Yeah I know what you mean
Seem to have so many things to think about and I do worry about the medications and my daughter's health already
Thanks for your reply.......I know other people live in Oz on repeat prescriptions....so I shouldn't worry about sorting prescriptions out too much until I finally get out there.
Beth x x

Damn just tried to use this but controlled drugs don't appear to be here

You see your GP, usually they dont charge for under16 kids. The GP refers you to a specialist, this would most likely be private, due to some pretty huge waiting lists, of course thats going to vary state to state.

Private specialists for kids usually charge between $140 and $300 for an appointment, the $300 is the first appointment, then its more the $140, of this medicare rebates about $65. Scans etc will depend on which diagnostic medicine company you use, all a rule unto themself, some charge for kids some dont, phone around, if your in a city there will usually be a choice.

Big thankyou for explaining this
I'm sure things will just fall into place once we get out there. I will try to see a GP as soon as I can after arriving to get the ball rolling with seeing a consultant.
Beth x x

http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/...es/msn/pbs.jsp

If you or your family spend $1114 or more on PBS medicines in a year then you will get scripts for $5 each after you hit the threshold.

If you or your family spend a similiar amount on out of hospital medical expenses (eg consultants visits in rooms) then on subsequent visits you get 80% of out of pocket expenses back.
http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/.../msn/index.jsp

My littlun see a paediatric gastroenterologist several times a year. It is a private consultation in rooms at a private hospital. Health insurance pays nothing. Medicare used to pick up about $80 and we used to pay about $70. The gastro has a waiting list of about 6 months on private. Now we have hit the threshold due the obstetricians management fee ($4800) we get back about 90% of consultants fees. BTW we were out of pocket about 1400 on the obstetrics fee.

Something also to remember is that you can also get authority prescriptions for some medicines which brings down the price. Neocate is about $800 for 16 cans full price but if your consultant says it is for a month that will come down to $30. Losec is about $30 for a month on script. For the Neocate the authority script must be made by a consultant. Each medicine has its own baffling structure.

For private scripts where Medicare does not pay eg Singulair Montelukast for under 2 year olds and adults you can get some payback from private health insurance extras cover. With HCF I have to pay the first $30 and HCF pay the next $50. Cover is limited at $500 per year. Other funds have different structures.

Good luck to those new to the system.

BTW It really pays to 1 find a good GP, and 2 to find good consultants.