Mark Butler, the Minister for Health and Aged Care, has defended the 60-day prescription proposal, emphasising the benefits to patients and countering opposition from the pharmacy lobby.

Mr Butler highlighted support from doctors’ groups, the medicines industry, and patient organisations such as Diabetes Australia, Asthma Australia, and the Heart Foundation.

He told Ray Hadley, “I’m convinced that no health minister should walk past this advice just because it’s difficult to implement.”

Mr Butler also clarified that the PBS script-free ‘safety net’ program will remain unchanged under the new proposal.