GSK on PBS and new drugs
June 23, 2011
TOUGH financial environments
should not preclude patients
from access to new medicines
they need, according to
GlaxoSmithKline General
Manager Australia and New
Zealand, Deborah Waterhouse.
Waterhouse’s comments
come in the wake of the
Government’s decision to list
the benign prostatic
hyperplasia medicine Duodart
(dutasteride/tamsulosin
hydrochloride) on the PBS from
01 August (PD Tue).
Initially referred to the
Government for listing by the
PBAC, Duodart was indefinitely
deferred from the PBS in
February this year, in a move
which forced GSK to undertake
urgent discussions with the
govt to prove that there were
significant immediate and long
term benefits to patients and
taxpayers by listing Duodart.
The discussions appear to
have paid off for GSK, with
Nicola Roxon finally conceding
that Duodart will produce an
overall saving to the budget.
“We recognise the
Government faces difficult
financial and budget decisions,
especially during this current
tight global fiscal environment,
but deferring the listing of new
medicines on the PBS will lead
to Australian patients being
unfairly treated,” said
Waterhouse.
“They will not have access to
the benefits of the latest
treatments. The PBS continues
to be one of the Government’s
most rigorous, evidence based,
efficient and effective, spending
programs,” she added.
MEANWHILE The Urological
Society of Australia and New
Zealand has welcomed
Duodart’s listing, saying “this is
good news for the many
Australian men who suffer this
uncomfortable condition, and
we are pleased they will have
access to this treatment at a
more affordable price”.
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