60-Day Prescribing Policy: impact and outcomes

Team members

Who is utilising the 60-day dispensing policy?

The objectives of this discovery project are to characterise the uptake of 60-day prescriptions included in Stage 1 and describe the characteristics of persons dispensed 60-day medicines. These results will be contextualised against the uptake, and patient characteristics, of the equivalent 30-day prescriptions for the included medicines. Further details about this project, including the Statistical Analysis Plan can be found here.

Research aims

We aim to describe: 

(i) the prescription-level uptake of medicines included in “Stage 1” over the first year of the policy, overall and by ATC1, ATC2 and ATC3 level. 

(ii) the patient-level uptake of medicines included in “Stage 1” over the first year of the policy, overall and by ATC1 and ATC2 level 

(iii) the prescriber-centric uptake of medicines included in “Stage 1” over the first year of the policy, overall and by ATC2 level 

(iv) the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and dispensing history, of people dispensed 60-day PBS items for medicines included in “Stage 1” over the first year of the policy, overall and by ATC 1 

(v) the characteristics associated with uptake of 60-day prescriptions compared with people only dispensed 30-day prescription PBS items for medicines included in “Stage 1” over the first year of the policy, overall and by ATC1 

(vi) time between dispensings and potential quality use of medicines (QUM) issues 

Data sources

PBS 10% sample: To describe uptake of the PBS 60-day prescription scheme in Australia, we will use PBS dispensing claims data between 1 September 2021 (2-years prior to introduction of the scheme) and 30 August 2024 for a random 10% sample of PBS-eligible Australians. These data include records on subsidised medicines dispensed from community pharmacies, private hospitals, and on discharge from public hospitals (in most states). Information on PBS item number, quantity, prescriber, beneficiary status, formulation, strength and quantity of each dispensing will be included in this study. 

Outcomes and significance

This research will give insight into the short-term outcomes of the PBS 60-day dispensing listing changes. The results will inform further research using linked administrative data, providing more detailed analyses of health service utilisation and clinical outcomes. They will also inform evaluation of the listing change policy.

Results

Team members

Who’s using the new 60-day dispensing policy for type 2 diabetes?

This research project is exploring how Australians with type 2 diabetes are benefiting from the change to 60-day dispensing; many diabetes medicines have been included in the policy from March 2024. 

This policy change could save some patients almost $190 a year, especially for newer, more effective treatments for type 2 diabetes, such as with Jardiance® (empagliflozin) and Forxiga® (dapagliflozin). They can also cut down on trips to the pharmacy and visits to the doctor. But it is still unknown how widely the new option is being taken up—or by whom.

Using national data, we will examine how many people with type 2 diabetes are using 60-day dispensings, how much they’re saving, the impact on trips to the pharmacy and to doctors, and who is missing out. The ultimate goal of this research is to support increased and more affordable access to medicines for everyone living with diabetes in Australia.

Research Aims

In this study, we will:

• Quantify how many people with type 2 diabetes are receiving 60-day dispensings for medicines to treat diabetes.
• Identify which groups (by age, gender, location, and other characteristics) are switching from 30- to 60-day dispensings for medicines to treat diabetes.
• Estimate changes in out-of-pocket costs of medicines before and after switching from 30- to 60-day dispensing.
• Estimate changes in the number and time between pharmacy and doctor visits before and after switching from 30- to 60-day dispensing.
• Explore geographic differences in uptake across Australia.

Data Sources

MI-CRE researchers will leverage two national data sources for this research:

• The Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) 10% Sample Data – a representative 10% sample of dispensing claims of medicines Australians and permanent residents eligible for subsidised PBS-medicines (Read more about the PBS and this data source).
• Australian Bureau of Statistics Person Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA) – which includes detailed sociodemographic, health service claims and medicine dispensing claims (Read more about PLIDA).

Outcomes and significance

This research will help to improve access and affordability of diabetes treatment across Australia. By studying who is and isn’t using the new 60-day dispensing, we can highlight gaps and ensure no one is missing out—especially people in disadvantaged areas or with lower incomes.

We will use powerful national data to identify the populations who aren’t yet benefiting from this policy. The results will help guide targeted action, like encouraging doctors to offer 60-day prescriptions in places where uptake is low. 

To maximise impact, we will share results widely—not just with researchers, but with communities, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and diabetes organisations.