PBS
Policy keeping PBS spending in check: Medicines Australia
The release of the Final Budget Outcomes for 2014‑15 has revealed policy reforms are continuing to put downward pressure on PBS expenditure, says Medicines Australia. The final Budget papers released …
Hepatitis C patients growing sicker waiting for PBS subsidy
Nearly 3000 Australians with hepatitis C have progressed to severe liver disease in the last year, as thousands continue to wait for affordable access to curative medicines recommended for a …
October 1 price disclosure changes announced
The latest round of price disclosure related price changes, which will come into effect on 1 October, 2015, have been announced. The chemotherapy drug capecitabine is to see a 52% …
Macular oedema treatment to be available on PBS
A government subsidy for a biologic to treat vision impairment caused by macular oedema in patients with diabetes or retinal vein occlusion (branch or central) will be available from 1 July.
Six price change dates a year for PBS-listed medicines
The number of dates on which the price of PBS-listed medicines can change will increase from three times a year to six times a year, as part of the package …
Drug companies cause slow access to new medicines: Ley
Health Minister Sussan Ley says she wants to turn around the issue of ‘slow’ access to new medicines, which she says is caused by drug companies. Medicines manufacturers prefer to …
Don’t give pharmacists power over biosimilars: Australian Rheumatology Association
The Australian Rheumatology Association has expressed concerns about risks to patient safety it says could follow from measures on biosimilars going through the Senate today as part of the wider …
Health Minister Sussan Ley spruiks PBS package – signals price cut
More than 2000 brands of common medicines could be slashed in price, some by as much as 50%, from next year, Minister for Health Sussan Ley says under the Government’s proposed PBS package.
Senate pushed to pass National Health Amendment Bill: Guild
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia yesterday gave evidence to the Senate Economics Legislation committee inquiry into the National Health Amendment Bill, and said it wants a “timely” passage of the Bill through the …
Health coalition urges Govt to scrap health cuts
A coalition of 17 peak and non-government organisations from the health and community sectors is calling on the Australian Government to scrap plans to cut nearly $800 million in funding …
Labor slams Govt on higher cost of medicines to consumers
The Government will pay manufacturers less for pharmaceuticals and charge customers more under the Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement, a Labor politician says. Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Infrastructure …
Ley lauds wider PBS reforms package cheaper medicines offer
Australians will enjoy cheaper medicines, a more competitive pharmacy sector and greater investment in new medicines and patient support services, says Health Minister Sussan Ley following the announcement of the …