Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme prescriptions: monthly data

This dashboard displays data on medicines funded through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) from 2002 up to the most recently published period. The information shows the volume of PBS prescriptions dispensed per person in the population for the highest levels of medicine classes (according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system). It also indicates the amount of Australian Government spending per person in the population (as opposed to being funded through patient co-payments).

Data is presented on a monthly basis with the ability to display national, state, territory or Local Government Area (LGA) trends, and to separate the trends into age groups. All ATC Level 1 medicine groups are displayed in the dashboard, note that select ATC Level 2 medicine groups are shown.

Note: The Australian Government pays pharmacies the difference between a patient’s co-payment and the PBS price of a medicine, as listed on the Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits. This excludes any special patient contributions (for example, brand price premiums) or optional fees imposed at the discretion of the dispensing pharmacy. Refer to the Technical notes for more information on data presented in the dashboard.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme prescriptions – dashboard

Data tables Technical notes