Support for patient needs
October 24, 2011
MEDICINES Australia has come
out in defence of patient support
programs, in the wake of the
controversy over Pfizer’s program,
saying that they play a key role in
supporting the quality use of
medicines in the community as well
as ensuring improved patient
health outcomes.
“For years, government and other
health sector stakeholders have
been saying medicines companies
should do more to promote the
quality use of medicines to
patients,” said Medicines Australia
chief executive Dr Brendan Shaw.
“These patient support programs
respond to those calls,” he added.
Whilst not specifically singling out
Pfizer’s patient support plan, but
rather speaking in generalities
about the current drug support
programs on offer to Australian
patients, Shaw said that the
programs are ethically run and
complement, rather than replace,
the roles played by doctors and
pharmacists.
“Patient support programs are
not designed to increase sales,” he
said.
“They are designed to drive
better health outcomes,” he added.
Shaw also defended fees paid to
pharmacists and doctors for
enrolling patients in the programs,
saying “it’s entirely reasonable that
they should be remunerated in a
way that’s commensurate with the
work undertaken”.
“Consumers value these programs
because they provide information
at precisely the time when
consumers want to take greater
control of their health,” he said.
“Programs that help patients
understand their condition and
better manage their health, or
encourage adherence to the
medicines they have been
prescribed, can be extremely
helpful,” he added.
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