Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

Compassionate access is really in the hands of the drug company under the compassionate access program, and we are working with them on that. They have also applied for urgent listing, and that is being assessed by the TGA. As those things are undertaken, I've told you already, we are looking at what mechanisms are available to provide assistance in the short term, between approval, pending approval and listing on the PBS. I would also say that we do have to go through a process. I am repeatedly asked to provide access to medications that are not on the PBS and for all worthy causes. This is something that the government has to properly consider, including what it means for other children with other illnesses who might want to access programs and for children and adults who aren't on the PBS.