Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Hansard source

I thank senators for their contributions on the National Health Amendment (Effect of Prosecution—Approved Pharmacist Corporations) Bill 2023. For your constituents and for all Australians, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme has provided affordable access to medicines for over 70 years. The Australian government is committed to protecting the integrity of Medicare, which includes the PBS, and this government understands the importance of the PBS remaining sustainable into the future so that we can continue investing in new medicines for the community. Integrity of public funds and effective PBS compliance is a vital component of this commitment. The government needs to adapt its compliance arrangements for bodies corporate in recognition of the fact that they are increasingly involved in the ownership and operation of pharmacies. This bill strengthens compliance powers, especially the ability to protect the PBS from abuse and inappropriate practice by pharmacists who are directors of bodies corporate.

Currently the discretionary power to suspend or revoke an approval to supply pharmaceutical benefits only applies to individual pharmacists. The amendment will extend the discretionary power to a pharmacist who is operating under a company structure and has been charged with, or convicted of, a PBS related offence. This will ensure the power applies equally to all approvals.

I note the amendment from Senator Ruston. The Australian government is committed to ensuring Australians have access to affordable medicines recommended by PBAC. The government has delivered on its election commitment to cut the cost of medications for millions of Australians by reducing the PBS co-payment to $30 per script. Since 1 July 2022 the government has committed additional funding for 67 new and amended listings. There are longstanding considered processes for PBS listings through PBAC, not second reading amendments. The PBS provides Australians with access to vital medicines, and the government is working to ensure all people have affordable access to the medicines they need. The Department of Health and Aged Care is working with states and territories on expanded access for the Closing the Gap program for patients in public hospitals. More specifically, this bill will protect the integrity of the PBS, so that we can keep investing in new and better medicines in future.

Again, I thank senators for their contributions to the bill.