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PBAC reverses plan to cut GP eye-drop prescribing rights

Press/Media: Expert Comment

Description

A decision to limit the prescribing of preservative-free eye drops to eye specialists has been rescinded after opposition from the RACGP.

Subject

Funding of medicines in Australia

Period30 Apr 2026

Media contributions

1

Media contributions

  • TitlePBAC reverses plan to cut GP eye-drop prescribing rights
    Degree of recognitionNational
    Media name/outletNewsGP
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    Date30/04/26
    DescriptionA decision to limit the prescribing of preservative-free eye drops to eye specialists has been rescinded after opposition from the RACGP...
    Professor Mark Morgan, RACGP Expert Committee – Quality Care Chair, welcomes the decision.

    ‘This is good news for patient care,’ he told newsGP.

    ‘It also shows that RACGP advocacy can have very direct impacts.

    ‘The RACGP letter made clear that specialist-only prescribing restrictions have the unintended consequence of making items available only to those who can afford to have an appointment with non-GP specialists.

    ‘GPs are the most accessible part of the health system. Non-GP specialist waiting times, out-of-pocket costs and urban locations are barriers that patients face.’
    Producer/AuthorJolyon Attwooll
    URLhttps://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/pbac-reverses-plan-to-cut-gp-eye-drop-prescribing?utm_source=racgpnewsgpnewsletter&utm_campaign=newsgpedm&utm_medium=email
    PersonsMark Morgan