From the Chief Executive
When I was a kid one of my heroes was Dr Who. Here was an intelligent, slightly nerdy non-hero with poor dress sense outwitting Daleks and travelling through time and space in his TARDIS.
I was reminded of Dr Who when the debate about the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and the recent Grattan Institute report unfolded because it felt like I had just stepped out of the TARDIS
and been caught in a rift in the time-space continuum.
That’s because many of the issues raised by the Grattan Institute were considered long ago by both sides of politics and rejected for good reason and because the report largely ignored what has happened in the debate about Australia’s medicines policy over the last 10 years….
News and Updates
Number of new PBS medicines hits 20-year low - 20 May
The number of new medicines listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in 2011-12 was the lowest for 20 years, according to a ground-breaking report released today by the Centre for Strategic Economic Studies.
The Impact of Further PBS Reforms study also found that reforms to the PBS agreed between the Commonwealth and Medicines Australia over the last decade will deliver up to $18 billion in savings.
MoU continues to safeguard PBS sustainability - 14 May
Medicines Australia chief executive Dr Brendan Shaw tonight welcomed the Government’s recognition in the Budget that the Memorandum of Understanding with Medicines Australia continues to keep the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme sustainable.
Dr Shaw said the Budget reflected the Government’s commitment to the MoU, which agrees to no further price related savings measures for the life of the agreement.
Consumers poorly served by NZ medicines system - 8 May
A report comparing the Australian medicines system with that of New Zealand highlights why Australian policymakers should not seek to emulate the New Zealand model, Medicines Australia chief executive Dr Brendan Shaw said today.
The report by Medicines New Zealand shows that in June 2012 Australian patients had access to 94 more prescription medicines than New Zealanders.
CPI rise in pharmaceuticals due to PBS safety net - 24 April
The apparent surge in pharmaceutical prices included in today’s Consumer Price Index for the March quarter is easily explained by the mechanics of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme safety net, Medicines Australia chief executive Dr Brendan Shaw confirmed today.
“Today’s CPI pharmaceutical price should be considered in the context of the December 2012 CPI, when pharmaceutical prices fell 3.5% per cent,” Dr Shaw said.
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