Coalition chemotherapy pledge welcome

AMA (NSW) President, Dr Saxon Smith, welcomes the Coalition’s decision to remove the co-payment from chemotherapy drugs for public cancer patients.

“I am happy that the Coalition has matched Labor’s pledge on removing the co-payment for chemotherapy prescriptions for public cancer patients.

“I’m even happier they have gone one step further and broadened out the base of medicine for which a co-payment will not be charged.

“The fact that people who suffer from HIV, hepatitis, Alzheimer’s, and other conditions will also benefit from this decision is great news,” Dr Smith said.

“Along with groups like the Cancer Council, AMA (NSW) has been opposed to the co-payment on chemotherapy drugs.

“Even though the co-payment only applies to the first prescription for a particular type of chemotherapy drug, this has still been a problem.

“There are a number of chemotherapy drugs and people usually end up on more than one.

“Additionally, changes to a prescription could also incur the co-payment,” Dr Smith said.

“Forcing public patients to make a co-payment for necessary treatment, when they are at their sickest, was never a good idea,” Dr Smith said.

“I am glad the Coalition has listened and that no matter which party forms government after the next election, public cancer patients will be spared this co-payment.

“This is an excellent win for patients,” Dr Smith said.

Media contact: Lachlan Jones (02) 9902 8113 / 0419 402 955