12 May 2026
ONE IN FIVE PEOPLE AVOID PRESCRIPTIONS
THE Pharmacy Guild of Australia is urging the Federal Government to freeze PBS medicine prices until 2030 to keep prescriptions affordable. While costs were cut to $25 in 2026, saving patients over $50M, prices could rise again without action. The Guild warns higher costs lead to skipped treatments and poorer health, calling for certainty amid cost-of-living pressures. One in five Australians have avoided prescriptions due to cost.
12 May 2026
CRACKDOWN ON USING SUPER FOR DENTAL WORK
THE Australian Dental Association NSW has backed a joint crackdown by the Australian Taxation Office and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency on unethical schemes encouraging early super access for dental work. With $817.6M withdrawn in 2025, concerns include financial harm and poor treatment quality. Patients are urged to seek independent advice and understand risks.
12 May 2026
MANY AUSSIES GO TO WORK WHILE SICK
A SURVEY by people2people Recruitment reveals many Australians still work while sick, driven by workload (30%) and guilt (35%), with 20% fearing judgment. Despite strong support for free workplace flu shots (81%), only 37% were vaccinated in the past year. Many employees feel uncomfortable taking sick leave, highlighting ongoing workplace pressure and a gap between support for health measures and actual behaviour.