Brett Mason (Queensland, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

Again, consultation with industry by this government happens across a range of portfolios; again, there is nothing unusual about that. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee make decisions about the listing of drugs on the PBS, not politicians. They are experts and they make decisions based on cost-effectiveness and medical efficacy. The PBAC will continue to recommend only those medicines that have been assessed as safe, efficacious and cost-effective. This is a robust and successful system admired internationally for listing a wide range of medicines that offer the most clinical benefits to patients at the best value for money. This system will not change under the PBS reforms. I heard Senator Moore earlier today during the second reading debate. She said—I think I am right in saying this—that this is a great system and we have to protect it. I agree with that. The aim of this bill is to do just that.