About the initiative
The Australian Government reimburses approved pharmacies and hospital authorities for pharmaceutical benefits supplied to approved Aboriginal Health Services (AHS) in remote locations.
This Remote Area Aboriginal Health Services (RAAHS) Program operates under section 100 of the National Health Act 1953.
Clients of approved RAAHSs may receive free medicines directly from the AHS at their consultation without needing a normal prescription form.
The remuneration for bulk supply is the sum of:
- the price to pharmacists for the pack quantity (worked out in accordance with the determination that is in force under paragraph 98B (1)(a) of the Act at the time of the supply of the pharmaceutical benefit)
- an amount equal to the administration, handling and infrastructure fee for the pack quantity (worked out in accordance with that determination)
- a handling fee, indexed annually, and is currently $3.20 as at 1 July 2022.
The section 100 RAAHS Patient Specific Medicine Supply Fee is $5.04 for each PBS medicine. This must be labelled for an individual patient for supply through an approved AHS, on or after 1 July 2022. The price is indexed annually.
Goals
The goal of this program is to reduce barriers for remote communities in accessing essential medicines and other pharmacy services.
Clients of more than 160 RAAHSs benefit from improved PBS access through these arrangements.
Who we work with
We work with pharmacies and hospitals in remote areas of Australia for this program.
Learn more
For more information about eligibility and claiming, visit the Services Australia website.
Contact
