Remove copayment for patient continuity of care and safety

We have a patient that went to a different Pharmacy to discount his copayment and an interaction was not picked up and he ended up in hospital.

So we now carry the burden of discounting his copayment to stop him "shopping around" to provide continuity of care at a cost to us.

This should not be happening.  

Why the contribution is important

Removing the copayment would make a it easier to access medicines where a person pleases. Not just what is cheapest. It will also helo communities in rural areas with no access to discounters. 

by NancyNasef on April 25, 2023 at 08:25AM

Current Rating

Average rating: 5.0
Based on: 10 votes

Comments

  • Posted by Medicina April 25, 2023 at 17:24

    The co-payment is not having it's intended effect (reducing waste and cost). There are many more costs to the health system than $5 when a person doesn't collect and use a medicine that a doctor determined was necessary for their health.
    There might be a slight reduction in pharmaceutical waste but there is a much higher waste of clinical time due to unresolved or compounded health problems for the person who did not use the medication when the doctor intended it to be used.
    Stop paying for people to re-attend the GP or stay in hospital for the original issue. Fully fund the medication the doctor intended them to take.
    Stop allowing discount pharmacies to loss-lead prescriptions as a market-share tactic to bombard the patient with retail messaging, unnecessary items and environmentally awful lotions and potions.

  • Posted by Blacksands April 26, 2023 at 10:04

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