Inquiry: Pass PBS co-pay bill
August 28, 2014
THE Community Affairs Legislation
Committee has recommended that
the National Health Amendment
(Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill,
with its proposed increased
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
(PBS) co-payments and safety net
thresholds, be passed.
The committee said it
concurred with the Department
of Health’s conclusion that the
proposed increases in the Bill
were reasonable, necessary
and proportionate, given “the
increasing costs of listing medicines
on the PBS and the factors driving
PBS growth in the long term.”
The committee noted the
Department’s submission that
there was limited evidence
available to support claims that
increased co-payments would
result in poor medicine adherence,
and its statement that the listing
of new medicines, and continued
spending, could not be done
without “a greater contribution
from all Australians who benefit
from the PBS.”
The bill would still go through
the normal Senate procedures,
including debate, and further
amendments could be made, a
Senate spokesperson said.
To read the report, CLICK HERE.
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