Pharmacy Daily | Senate PBS deferral inquiry

THE Government’s new processes regarding the requirement of cabinet approval for all new drugs listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme has been formally referred to a Senate inquiry. Yesterday NSW Liberal Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells moved that the Finance and Public Administration References Committee look into the govt’s administration of the PBS, with particular relation to “the deferral of listing medicines which have been recommended by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee,” with Senate passing the motion just after midday. Other areas for Committee consideration include whether the deferrals will have consequences for patients and the pharmaceutical sector; any impacts on the future availability of medicines in the Australian market; the criteria and advice used to determine medicines to be deferred; the financial impact on the Commonwealth Budget of deferring the listing of medicines; the consultation process prior to a deferral; and compliance with the intent of the Memorandum of Understanding signed with Medicines Australia in May 2010. The Committee has been asked to produce a report into the cabinet deferrals issue by 18 August

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