Over 2,000 brands of medicines will have their prices cut from 01 Oct, in what health minister Sussan Ley is describing as a "win-win for consumers and taxpayers".
Ley confirmed yesterday that one in three medicine brands on the PBS would become cheaper and about 1,600 of the reductions would see a direct saving to consumers because they're priced below the $38.20 general PBS co-payment.
The rest of the repriced medicines under the PBS Access and Sustainability Package will benefit taxpayers to the tune of almost $900 million over the next 4 years.
Ley also reiterated a Coalition commitment in Government "that we will list medicines on the PBS without fear or favour if recommended by the independent expert Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee".
MEANWHILE Fairfax Media yesterday reported Ley would this week finally release the government's response to the Sansom review of the regulation of medicines and medical devices.
The report said a recommendation that would give earlier access to new drugs before they gain final TGA approval will be adopted.
The independent review report was handed down in Jul last year and it has taken the government over a year to give its response.
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