Prescriptions
You can ask our Pharmacist questions at any time during our business hours (9am-5pm AEST, Monday to Friday) via our 1300 number (1300 1PULSE) or our Live Chat function. You can also email enquiries@pulsepharmacy.com.au
Our Pharmacist will call you for a brief phone consultation when processing your order. Please ensure you provide a daytime phone number so your order is not delayed.
About the PBS
NHS (General Patients)
Concession
Safety Net
Private
About the PBS
The Australian government subsidises the cost of many prescription medications via the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme). Different customers receive different subsidy levels for these products.
This PBS is available to all Australian residents with a current Medicare card. It also covers overseas visitors from countries with which Australia has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA). These countries include New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Republic of Ireland, Finland, Malta, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway. For more information, visit the PBS website
We are required to obtain the patient’s Medicare card number in order to process prescriptions under the PBS.
NHS (General Patients):
The price for patients who have a Medicare card but do not have any form of Concession/Benefit card. This price may include subsidy by the PBS, depending on the cost of the medication.
Concession:
Patients who have one of the following concession cards receive a higher subsidy level:
- Pensioner Concession Card;
- Australian Seniors Health Card;
- Health Care Card; or
- DVA (Department of Veteran Affairs) White, Gold, or Orange Card.
A Safety Net Concession card also entitles the patient to Concession pricing for the remainder of the calendar year.
PBS Safety Net:
The PBS Safety Net assists patients or families who require a lot of medication. Once the patient/family reaches a specified threshold, they receive their PBS medications at a lower rate for the remainder of the calendar year.
For 2008, the threshold is $1141.80* for general patients (those who do not have a concession card) or $290.00* for concession patients.
After reaching this threshold, general patients are issued a blue Safety Net Concession card and only pay the concession price* for the remainder of the year. Concession patients are issued a pink Safety Net Entitlement card and receive their medications free* for the remainder of the year.
Safety Net prices listed on our website refer to concession patients with a Safety Net Entitlement card. General patients with a Safety Net Concession card should select the ‘Concession’ price.
For more information on the PBS Safety Net
*Brand price premiums do not count towards the threshold, and are still payable after reaching the Safety Net. Private prescriptions (non-PBS) do not count towards your Safety Net threshold.
Private:
Some medications are not subsidised by the PBS and must be paid for in full. You also have the option of selecting the ‘private’ price for some PBS medications as it can sometimes be less expensive. However if you do this, your prescription will not count towards your Safety Net threshold.
Customers who do not have a current Medicare must select the Private price.