Pharmacy Daily | Defunding NPS ‘a backwards step’

MOVES to defund NPS MedicineWise announced by the Coalition Government as part of its pre-election Budget measures will go ahead (PD 05 Apr).

Following a review of the Budget proposal, Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler (PD 19 May), has backed the decision to proceed with the redesign of the Quality Use of Therapeutics, Diagnostics and Pathology (QUTDP) Program (PD Breaking News).

Confirmation that the organisation will no longer receive Federal funding from 01 Jan 2023, has prompted the NPS MedicineWise Board to announce it will be wound up on 31 Dec.

NPS MedicineWise CEO, Katherine Burchfield, said the decision marked "the end of an era".

"Over the years, NPS MedicineWise has become a valued 'go to' resource for health professionals and consumers in the quality use of medicines, and has built up a unique set of expertise, assets and networks," she said.

"It is hard not to see this decision as a backwards step."

In a statement released this morning the organisation noted that over the last 24 years it has delivered a net return on investment of more than 2:1 to the Federal Government in direct savings for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and the Medicare Benefits Scheme.

NPS MedicineWise Chair, Dr Andrew Knight, said the decision left the Board with no choice but to close the company when the funding cuts come into effect.

"NPS MedicineWise does not agree with the decision to proceed with the redesign," he said.

"We believe it will prove to be a poor decision, and will make the safe and wise use of medicines in Australia much harder to achieve.

"However, we accept that this is the Minister's decision and, in response, have made the difficult decision to wind up the company as and when our funding ceases on 31 Dec.

"NPS MedicineWise has made an outstanding contribution to the quality use of medicines over its 24 years and has improved the lives of many Australians."

NPS MedicineWise said that it would focus on the "responsible transfer of its functions" over the coming months and see to ensure the best outcomes for staff.