Chemo review kicks off
July 5, 2013
THE Department of Health has
released the terms of reference for
its review of chemotherapy funding
arrangements (PD 05 May), after
health minister Tanya Plibersek
agreed to pay an additional $60
per infusion through to 31 Dec
to ensure the ongoing viability of
chemotherapy services.
The review will report by Oct this
year with recommendations for
long-term arrangements for chemo
funding, and aims to “maximise the
benefits consumers receive from
chemotherapy infusions”.
Interestingly, it’s not just limited
to dispensing services funded from
the PBS, and will also look at the
funding of clinical services as part
of cancer treatment, as well as the
business models in the private and
public health sectors which provide
chemotherapy services.
A discussion paper has been
issued, with submissions solicited
through until 29 July, and the
department is in the process of
engaging experts in pharmacy
and oncology to guide the review,
alongside Mike Wallace, former
deputy director-general of NSW
Health; and the Consumers Health
Forum which has been engaged to
consult with consumer groups.
Information sought under the
review includes details of costs and
processes involved in compounding
certain infusions and possible
alternative funding models for
these medicines; rural and regional
chemotherapy provision; guidelines
on quality of infusion preparations;
and how services and funding roles
for chemotherapy have changed,
particularly in the light of the
government’s Efficient Funding of
Chemotherapy measure.
The review will also look at
suggestions by some stakeholders
that “clinical services associated
with the provision of chemotherapy
by an advanced care or oncology
pharmacist should be recognised
with explicit funding”.
Also up for discussion is
the possibility that the cost
of containers and devices for
chemotherapy could be funded
under the PBS, with infusion
fees currently not providing for
any specialised or high-cost drug
delivery systems.
The full discussion paper can be
viewed by CLICKING HERE.
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