Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

The National Health Amendment (Technical Changes to Averaging Price Disclosure Threshold and Other Matters) Bill 2024 amends the National Health Act 1953 to clarify the operation of provisions relating to the PBS pricing and supply arrangements for older and low-cost medicines, referred to as the 'designated brands'. These provisions were introduced through the National Health Amendment (Enhancing the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) Act 2021—the amendment act—that implemented reforms negotiated with the medicines industry through the strategic agreements to improve and guarantee access to medicines for Australian patients. The bill includes technical amendments only, which are intended for avoidance of doubt and are not, therefore, intended to change the operation of the provisions, which have been in effect since 1 July 2022.

These amendments apply retrospectively and prospectively to clarify provisions relating to the 12.5 per cent average, unadjusted price reduction test and the timing of when a brand becomes a designated brand. The amendments are consistent with parliament's intention when it passed the amendment act in 2021, as outlined in the explanatory memorandum to that act, and the overarching policy intent of the price disclosure regime.

The bill will continue to deliver a stronger Medicare and PBS. I commend it to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.