THE Health Department has confirmed that it will shortly release guidance material on amendments to the National Health Act 1953 relating to newly legislated statutory Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme price reductions which are due to occur on 01 Jun.
The "catch-up" anniversary price cuts were signed into law last month, with the department saying the new arrangements will be "subject to ministerial discretion".
The process for applying for discretion will be published as soon as possible, with the department expecting a short turn around due to the data processing time required for a new listing.
The "10th anniversary" cuts include a 10% drop in the price for all single brand pharmaceutical items that have been on the PBS for 10 or more but less than 15 years, and 14.5% on single brand F1 items on the PBS for over 15 years.
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