Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister for Health and Ageing, in writing, on 3 March 2011:

In respect of the medicines Duodart, Invega Sustenna, Targin, Symbicort, Botox, Fragmin and Synarel that were recommended for listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), but deferred by the Australian Government:

(a) why was the listing of these medicines deferred;

(b) what advice was the decision to defer the listing of these medicines based upon;

(c) what is the projected cost per annum to the Commonwealth of listing each medicine;

(d) what is the saving to the Government over the forward estimates of deferring the listing of these medicines;

(e) can she indicate

(i) which medicines were considered by Cabinet: and

(ii) the estimated length of time of the deferral of the listing of these medicines; and

(f) how many people are projected to be prescribed each medicine in the first year of them being listing.

Nicola Roxon (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(a) The Australian Government is committed to a sustainable Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) as a key to keeping medicines affordable and accessible, and delivering better health services for all Australians.

The cost of the PBS has continued to grow over the past ten years, averaging growth of about nine percent a year, and it is estimated it will cost about $9 billion this financial year. This growth rate is higher than the six percent annual increase for general hospital and medical services, and of course much higher than the Consumer Price Index.

A fiscally responsible Government cannot continue to increase funding for one program at the expense of other pressing health needs, in the hope of a reduction in costs at some point in the future. The Government must deal with the fiscal circumstances and health priorities now, as well as assessing future growth patterns.

Consequently, the Government is concentrating on listing medicines on the PBS that treat serious and life threatening conditions where there are no alternative treatments on the PBS.

(b) The Government relies upon information provided by the PBAC in relation to clinical need for each medicine or vaccine, including whether alternative treatment options exist, and whether there were comparable listings in the past three years. Additional information taken into account is whether the listing provides expenditure savings and other technical information that the PBAC considered. The Government also relies on the expert advice from the Department of Health and Ageing and the Chief Medical Officer.

(c) and (d) The costs of measures considered by the Cabinet, including potential PBS listings are Cabinet in Confidence.

(e) (i) Any PBS listings with a financial impact are considered by the Cabinet.

(ii) When circumstances permit, the Government will reconsider those applications.

(f) The number of patients who may have been prescribed the deferred PBS listings in the first full year of listing is commercial-in-confidence.