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Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

Meaning

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is a program, notably in Australia, that subsidizes the cost of a wide range of prescription medicines for residents, making necessary drugs more affordable and accessible. While not a physiological concept, it is a critical health policy framework that directly impacts a patient’s access to hormonal therapies, including those for thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, and certain forms of hormone replacement. Its structure influences clinical prescribing decisions.