MOVES to defund NPS MedicineWise from 01 Jan 2023, announced in the Federal Budget, could be reversed under a Labor Government, with the party pledging to review the decision.
In a letter to the independent body, Labor committed to supporting measures to ensure quality use of medicines into the future.
"In the 2022 Budget, the Morrison Government ceased funding NPS MedicineWise as the steward of supporting doctors and patients on the safe and quality use of medicines; work NPS MedicineWise has been responsible for since 1998, a period which has seen their work deliver a $1.1 billion saving to the PBS," the letter said.
"This decision has been criticised by doctor and consumer groups alike, who raise concerns about the implications for people's health.
"If elected to Government on 21 May 2022 Labor will review this decision, with a primary goal of ensuring the quality use of medicines going forward."
Welcoming Labor's statement, NPS CEO, Katherine Burchfield, said a review of the Budget decision should be conducted in consultation with stakeholders including health professionals and patients.
"It would fit as part of a broader review of the National Medicines Policy (NMP), which has been postponed until after the election to work through extensive stakeholder feedback," she said.
"The NMP review is an opportunity to ensure the way QUM is driven in Australia is fit-for-purpose 24 years after the creation of the policy.
"This is a new post-pandemic world with exciting innovations in medicines and healthcare, but also growing tensions between access, affordability and safety.
"In this new environment and contest the need for independent QUM stewardship is more critical than ever."
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