Coalition commits to PBS
August 23, 2013
Medicines Australia ceo Dr
Brendan Shaw has welcomed the
Coalition’s commitment to restore
transparency, predictability and
confidence to the process by
which medicines are listed on the
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
The Coalition health policy
released yesterday includes an
undertaking to raise the threshold
for Cabinet consideration of PBS
medicines from $10m to $20m.
“A predictable, transparent and
collaborative environment is critical
to the future of the medicines
industry in Australia,” Shaw said.
“Submissions of new medicines
are receiving multiple rejections
and delays, industry frustration
is high, and the number of new
molecules being listed is at 20
year lows...Medicines Australia
particularly welcomes giving the
Health Minister authority to list
medicines that do not cost more
than $20 million in their first four
years,” he added.
Shaw also welcomed measures
to accelerate clinical trial reform,
which he said “ have the potential
to make tangible benefits to
patients”.
At the same time he stressed
that an urgent requirement
for Medicines Australia after
the election will be to sit down
and examine the unintended
consequences of the 02 Aug price
disclosure changes with affected
stakeholders - CLICK HERE for MA’s
election policy document.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 23 Aug 13To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 23 Aug 13
