The Hon. Mark Butler MP, Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care announced reforms to medicare on Friday.

Within these changes is a positive step forward for the AOD sector as opioid treatments will now be available outside hospitals and GPs. This is listed in the table under Reforming Opioid Dependence Treatment access.

"The PBS Opioid Dependence Treatment program will broaden access to treatments in community pharmacies from 1 July 2023. This will give patients looking to end their dependence on opioids another option to access treatment outside GP clinics and hospitals that are already under immense pressure."

For more reforms, please see the document Rebuilding Medicare for the 21st Century.

To read the entire media release, please click here.