Patient Engagement Survey

We want to hear what matters most to patients when it comes to accessing medicines in Australia.

Your feedback will help us better understand patient experiences and priorities, and will help inform discussions between the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA) and the Australian Government on future medicines policy.

By taking part, you can help make sure the patient voice is part of the conversation.

Patient Survey

What health condition or conditions do you take prescription medicines for?

What is your age group?

Under 18

18-34

35-49

50-64

65-74

75+

Prefer not to say

Where do you live?

Metropolitan area

Regional area

Rural area

Remote area

Prefer not to say

Which state or territory do you live in?

ACT

NSW

QLD

TAS

VIC

Prefer not to say

Module 1: Supply Security and Availability Barriers

Has a pharmacy been unable to supply your regular prescription due to stock shortages in the past 12 months?

Yes, frequently

Yes, occasionally

If affected by a shortage, how long did you have to wait or travel to obtain your medicine?

Delayed by < 48 hours

Delayed by 1–2 weeks

Had to switch medicines

Could not obtain at all

Did a delay or shortage lead to a flare-up, worsening of symptoms, or an unexpected doctor/hospital visit?

Yes (Symptom flare/Hospital/GP)

No impact

Module 2: The Patient Impact of Medicine Supply Problems

When your usual medicine was difficult to obtain, did you need to do any of the following?

Contact multiple pharmacies

Make additional phone calls

Travel to another suburb or town

Return to my doctor for a new prescription

Arrange an additional healthcare appointment

Take time away from work or study

Change caring or family arrangements

Ask someone else to help find or collect the medicine

none of these

Other

Did difficulty obtaining your medicine result in additional costs for you?

Additional travel or transport costs

Additional medical appointment costs

Lost income or unpaid time away from work

Paying more for a different medicine

Other additional costs

No additional costs

Unsure/Prefer not to say

How confident are you that your regular prescription medicines will be available when you need them?

Very confident

Somewhat confident

Neither confident nor concerned

Somewhat concerned

Very concerned

Unsure

Has concern about medicine availability ever caused you to change how you manage your medicines?

I have tried to refill prescriptions earlier than usual

I have contacted pharmacies in advance to check stock

I have kept additional medicine at home where possible

I have spoken to my doctor about alternative medicines

I have changed pharmacy

It has not changed how I manage my medicines

Prefer not to say

Other

Module 3: PBS Access Requirements

Have you ever been told that you could not access a medicine subsidised through the PBS until you met certain requirements first?

For example, you may have needed to try another treatment first, demonstrate that a previous treatment had not worked, or meet particular eligibility criteria.

Yes

Unsure

If you have experienced this, what impact did these requirements have on your treatment?

No significant impact

I had to continue a treatment that was not working well for me

I had to try another medicine before I could access the treatment recommended for me

Starting my preferred treatment was delayed

I needed additional appointments or tests

My symptoms or condition worsened while waiting

I experienced side effects from a treatment I was required to try first

I decided not to pursue the treatment

Other

Unsure

Other

If you had been able to access this medicine earlier in your diagnosis, how do you think it would have changed your outcome?

Prevented progression/ relapse

Reduced time off work/ carer burden

Better quality of life

Unsure

Module 4: Confidence and Information needs

If your doctor or pharmacist explained that another brand was an appropriate alternative to your usual medicine, how confident would you feel accepting it?

Very confident

Somewhat confident

Unsure/ would want more information

Not confident

What information would help you feel confident if you were offered a different generic or biosimilar brand?

Confirmation that it has been assessed and approved by Australia’s medicines regulator

An explanation from my pharmacist

An explanation from my doctor or specialist

Information about whether it works in the same way as my usual medicine

Information about possible differences in appearance, packaging or device

Information from a trusted patient organisation

Written information I could review myself

I would not need additional information

Other

If your medicine was affected by a shortage, who would you most trust to provide information about what to do?

My pharmacist

My GP

My Specialist

My patient organisation

Australian Government/ TGA

Medicine manufacturer

Another healthcare professional

Other

Which changes would make you feel more confident about accessing your medicines in the future?

Earlier information when a medicine is likely to be unavailable

Better information about how long a shortage is expected to last

Easier access to an appropriate alternative medicine

Greater flexibility for pharmacists or doctors to provide an alternative during a shortage

More information about generic and biosimilar alternatives

Better coordination between pharmacies, doctors and medicine suppliers

Measures to help ensure important medicines continue to be supplied in Australia

Other

Optional: Share your personal story

Please share any experience you have had where a prescription medicine you needed was difficult or impossible to obtain.

Patient Engagement Survey

We want to hear what matters most to patients when it comes to accessing medicines in Australia.

Your feedback will help us better understand patient experiences and priorities, and will help inform discussions between the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA) and the Australian Government on future medicines policy.

By taking part, you can help make sure the patient voice is part of the conversation.

Patient Survey

Module 1: Supply Security and Availability Barriers

Module 2: The Patient Impact of Medicine Supply Problems

Module 3: PBS Access Requirements

Module 4: Confidence and Information needs

Optional: Share your personal story

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Patient Engagement Survey

We want to hear what matters most to patients when it comes to accessing medicines in Australia.

Your feedback will help us better understand patient experiences and priorities, and will help inform discussions between the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA) and the Australian Government on future medicines policy.

By taking part, you can help make sure the patient voice is part of the conversation.

Patient Survey

Module 1: Supply Security and Availability Barriers

Module 2: The Patient Impact of Medicine Supply Problems

Module 3: PBS Access Requirements

Module 4: Confidence and Information needs

Optional: Share your personal story

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