BACK DOWN OVER PBS DELAYS
October 7, 2011
The Gillard Government has bowed to patient pressure and listed new drugs on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), according to The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.
Mr Chester said earlier this year the government made the unprecedented decision to defer the listing of the drugs against the recommendations of the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC).
After condemnation from local patients and their families, as well as a highly critical report from a Senate Inquiry, the Health Minister has now had the drugs listed on the PBS.
But Mr Chester said the government hasn’t ruled out future deferrals.
“The backflip is welcome news for patients and their families but the Gillard Government has done nothing to rule out the uncertainty around the PBS which it created earlier this year,” Mr Chester said.
“It completely undermined the independent process of the PBAC – a system that has operated successfully with bi-partisan support and is recognised throughout the world.
“Now it is a case of not knowing which patients in the future are going to be denied access to their medicine and on what grounds.”
Mr Chester said the issue will be ongoing unless the Minister steps in and rules out further drug deferrals.
“A drug that prevents strokes and would benefit up to 300,000 patients still hasn’t been listed on the PBS despite being recommended by PBAC six months ago and found to be safe and cost effective,” Mr Chester said.
“The Minister needs to step in and rule out future deferrals as well as subsidising new medicines according to PBAC’s advice.
“Ongoing uncertainty means companies will reconsider the costly process of listing new medicines in Australia.
“If the Coalition wins government, we would revert to a system where PBAC recommendations were recognised and acted upon.”