Ever had to pay $15 for a packet of antibiotics? A bit much, isn't it? Even if you aren't eligible for Centrelink pensions people in the lower half of the earning's range can always apply for a health care card. Just about everything is just a few dollars, a few things cost a little bit more. You just flash the card at the pharmacist and off goes 70% of the price. Very handy if you need a lot of repeat prescriptions. It also qualifies you for bulk billing in some medical practices that don't usually bulk bill.

The other thing is to insist on the generic brand. Chemically there is no difference between the various brands. The active ingredient is exactly the same, the effectiveness is just the same, but the packaging is a little blander and the cost fractional in the generic brands. Any time you get a prescription you can ask the pharmacist for the generic brand, sometimes there isn't one, but usually there is, and if so then there is an extra $4.00 in your pocket. You don't even need a card.