Key changes coming for pharmacists in 2026

New year, new policy and practice changes. Here’s what pharmacists will need to navigate from January.

In 2026, pharmacists can expect some changes to education, medicine costs and credentialing standards. 

AP has rounded up the key changes pharmacists can expect from 1 January.

1. PBS co‑payment will drop

From 1 January 2026, the maximum Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) co‑payment for general patients will drop from $31.60 to $25.00 per prescription.

This marks a major reduction in out-of-pocket costs for Australians without a concession card, and the first time in more than 20 years that PBS medicines will cost no more than $25.

However, indexation on the general patient co-payment will resume in 2027 in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Although PBS medicines will not be permanently capped at $25, the long‑term trajectory of general patient co‑payments will rise from a much lower baseline.​

2. Transition to the new MMR credential must be completed

By 1 January 2026, pharmacists must have transitioned to the APC’s new Medication Management Review credential to continue:

• delivering Home Medicines Reviews and Residential Medication Management Reviews
• participating in the Aged Care On-site Pharmacist measure.

Pharmacists who have not successfully completed recognition for prior learning or an APC-accredited credential by 31 December will lose eligibility to provide medicines review services and will be unable to claim for them through the Pharmacy Programs Administrator.

Medication Review Numbers (MRN) will also only remain valid until 31 December, with an updated MRN issued upon completion of an APC-accredited RPL or training program.

However, pharmacists still have until 30 June 2026 to complete an APC-accredited ACOP training program.

3. Continued freeze on PBS concessional co‑payment

For concession card holders, the PBS co‑payment will remain at $7.70 on 1 January 2026.

There will be no CPI increase next year, with the freeze on concessional co‑payments continuing until the end of 2029.

But after a 5-year reprieve, the concessional co-payment will be indexed from the  beginning of 2030, and will be adjusted each year in line with the CPI.

4. Optional allowable discount phase out continues

The optional PBS allowable discount (or the ‘$1 discount’) will continue its scheduled phase‑out in 2026. The maximum discount pharmacies are able to apply per script will continue to reduce until it is effectively removed. 

In 2025, the allowable discount was set at $0.80 for concessional patients and $0.10 for general patients.

In 2026, the allowable discount will be reduced by the same dollar amount that CPI indexation would otherwise have added to the PBS co‑payment.

5. New PSA standards for CPD accreditation launch

At the end of 2025, the Australian Pharmacy Council’s (APC) Accreditation Standards for Continuing Professional Development Activities will no longer be active. 

From the start of next year, PSA will begin accrediting to a new set of standards – allowing pharmacists to continue to access accredited CPD activities assessed for quality and reliability. CPD providers will also be able to apply for accreditation under the PSA Accredited CPD framework.

The CPD Standards for Pharmacists were published last week and can be used by pharmacists to assist them in determining whether an activity is of suitable quality for self-assessment. 

For pharmacists undertaking accredited CPD, no action is required. There will be a seamless transition to the new criteria – with the Pharmacy Board of Australia’s CPD standard remaining unchanged.

Pharmacists are still able to complete CPD activities accredited against the APC’s CPD Accreditation standards until their expiry date, or up until 31 December 2026 – whichever comes first.

All supporting materials, including application forms and the PSA Accredited CPD Provider Handbook, will be available here from 5 January 2026.