Self-funding an issue
May 26, 2014
PATIENT self-funding of
treatment and medication in
Australia is becoming more
common but discussion about the
issue is not, the eighth biennial
National Medicines Symposium
(NMS 2014) held last week in
Brisbane heard.
Dr Jennie Louise from the
University of Adelaide talked
about the ethical issues associated
with patient self-funding of highcost
medications, saying it was
becoming more common but there
was limited formal policy debate or
public discussion around the issue.
“Even when there is no funding or
support available to reduce the cost
of medicines, there is evidence that
patients want to be told about all
the treatment options, even if they
can’t afford them.”
Louise pointed out that in future
there may be more pressure by
patient groups to fund non costeffective
medicines.
“However, the establishment
of a new market for self-funded
medicines may undermine the
bargaining power of government.”
Louise said that over time this
could further increase the costs
of healthcare by, for example,
increasing consultation times
and administration, monitoring
treatment of side effects and other
related secondary care that is
required for people on high-cost
treatment.
“This issue will only continue to
escalate, and we need more public
awareness alongside firm debate
on how to address self-funded
treatment.”
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