Alternative Arrangements for Medicines

Aboriginal Health Services and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

The following page contains information on improving access to essential medicines by clients of remote Aboriginal Health Services through the special PBS supply arrangements enacted under the provisions of section 100 of the National Health Act 1953.

To address identified barriers in accessing the PBS, special arrangements were introduced in 1999 for the supply of PBS medicines to clients of eligible remote area Aboriginal Health Services (AHSs). Under the provisions of section 100 of the National Health Act 1953, clients of approved remote area AHSs are able to receive medicines directly from the AHS at the time of medical consultation, without the need for a normal prescription form, and without charge.

Clients of 166 remote area AHSs, including community controlled AHSs and remote services operated by the States and Territories, now benefit from improved PBS access through these arrangements.
A formal evaluation of these arrangements was completed in July 2004.

A Status Report on action in response to the evaluation so far is provided as a living document. (Last updated 9 October 2007.)
PDF Printable version of the Status Report (PDF 849 KB)

The links to the right of the page provide access to more specific PBS s100 information.

For further information about PBS access by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, please contact the Department via e-mail: pbs-indigenous@health.gov.au