Date published:
Audience:
General public
On 1 July 2025, 6 organisations signed agreements to continue providing services under the Community Service Obligation (CSO).
The organisations are Australian Pharmaceutical Industries Pty Ltd, Barrett Distributors Pty Ltd, Clifford Hallam Healthcare Pty Ltd, Friendly Society Medical Association Pty Ltd, Sigma Healthcare Pty Ltd and Symbion Pty Ltd.
The CSO was established in 2006 to make sure that everyone in Australia can get their PBS medicines quickly and reliably through community pharmacies.
Distributors receive payments from the CSO Funding Pool for supplying PBS Medicines to community pharmacies on time.
The CSO:
- ensures medicines are delivered within 24 hours
- supports the availability of low volume medicines
- protects timely access to medicines in rural and remote communities, and
- aligns with the goals of National Medicines Policy.