Dutton commits to chemo
November 15, 2013
Health minister Peter Dutton
has undertaken to provide
“certainty to chemotherapy
patients across the country and
their families” and resolve the
current funding crisis for dispensing
of chemotherapy medications.
Speaking during Question Time
in Parliament earlier this week,
Dutton slammed the former Labor
government, which “created a
problem because they ripped
money out of chemotherapy
services”.
APHS Group, which delivers about
20% of private chemotherapy
doses nationally, has welcomed
the comments, with the company’s
executive chairman Stuart Giles
saying “AHPS looks forward to
working with the Health Minister
and Department on defining a
permanent solution to the ongoing
chemotherapy funding crisis.
“Everyone should be determined
to send cancer patients into
Christmas with certainty by
ensuring the long-term viability of
the cancer care sector,” he said.
Giles urged a resolution which
incorporates AHPS’ submission
to the Senate Inquiry into
chemotherapy last March, which
includes the continuation of the
$60 increase in infusion based
funding which was introduced as an
interim measure from 01 Jul-31 Dec
this year.
The outcome should also
incorporate a consistent approach
to remuneration that ensures all
pharmacies, whether hospital
or community based, receive
the same funding for the same
chemotherapy supply, he added.
And the payment of the full
remuneration should be based on
the actual cost of the medicine
required for infusion, rather than
a discounted payment based on a
theoretical ‘maximum’ dosage.
“Anything less than this will put
cancer patients at risk, especially in
regional areas,” Giles said.
He said that Dutton’s statements
show that the government
understands the problems that
Australians with cancer are facing.
“We trust they will follow through
and deliver the right funding model
to ensure everyone has access to
the care they deserve”.
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