Labor candidate for Monash Tully Fletcher has welcomed the Albanese government's commitment to making medicines cheaper if re-elected.

No Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) script will cost more than $25 - a saving of $6.60 on the current price. Concession card holders will pay a maximum of $7.70.Under the changes announced by the ALP last week, four out of five PBS medicines will become cheaper. The last time that PBS medicines cost no more than $25 was 2004.
If re-elected, the Albanese government will deliver $25 maximum PBS scripts from January 1, 2026 and freeze the cost for pensioners and concession cardholders at $7.70 until 2030.
Mr Fletcher said cheaper medicines would be a huge help to households across the Monash electorate.
"PBS medicines haven't been capped at $25 since 2004, also the year the Liberals won our seat of McMillan - now Monash - and started taking us for granted.
"'Only a re-elected Albanese Labor Government will deliver cheaper medicines, more free GP visits, and a fully funded and bulk billed Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Warragul.
"When they were in government Peter Dutton tried to jack up the cost of medicines by up to $5 a script and end bulk billing," he said.
TerryWhite Chemmart Drouin pharmacist Wendy McKay said patients regularly told them about the tough choices they were making under cost of living pressures.
"They have to be careful about where they spend their money, and medicine is expensive for working families.
"This commitment will help with those choices, improve access to medicines, and improve the health of our community.
"For patients with multiple, regular prescriptions for essential medicines these savings will quickly make a real difference.
"Any change that makes medicines more affordable will be welcomed by our patients," Ms McKay said.
Right: Drouin TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacists Darren McKenzie and Wendy McKay welcome Federal Labor's PBS announcement with Monash Labor candidate Tully Fletcher.