HEALTH minister Greg Hunt is considering expanding the $200m funding pool for the Community Service Obligation (CSO) to allow the participation of logistics firm DHL, which currently provides direct distribution of selected items from some drug manufacturers.
A decision is expected within a month, according to a report in the Pharma in Focus newsletter today.
The change would be a potential outcome of the current CSO Review (PD 13 Jun) which is seeking input from the industry on a range of issues including direct supply and new payment arrangements for high cost medicines.
The existing CSO deeds expire at the end of Dec, after a six month extension to allow for the review.
DHL provides distribution under the Pfizer Direct system, as well as for 14 high-priced AstraZeneca medications plus Amgen's Prolia.
Current CSO guidelines mandate that participants stock at least one brand of every PBS medicine, and supply of PBS and NDSS items to any distribution point nationally.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 06 Aug 18
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