Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I can say—as I said in the answer to the first question—that the government is always concerned about reports where there may be rorts within the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, particularly because it is a scheme that does provide support for pensioners and support for people on low incomes. Of course it is always necessary to ensure that there is integrity in the system and that it is accountable. The government is looking at the PBS reform process and the next community pharmacy agreement to ensure that the PBS provides value for money. The PBS reform is currently expected to save taxpayers about $3 billion over the next 10 years. These reforms do look at how we can reduce costs and improve access to new life-enhancing medicines, because the more money that we can save out of this area, the more money there is to ensure that we can support some of those more expensive drugs listed on the PBS. (Time expired)