PBS spending in decline
March 25, 2013
FOR the first time in 20 years
government expenditure on the
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
(PBS) is in decline, according to
previously unpublished PBS data.
Revealed at the Pharmacy Guild’s
Australian Pharmacy Professional
conference by the Guild’s National
Director of Health Economics,
Stephen Armstrong, the data was
provided by the Department of
Health and was analysed by the
Guild.
According to the Guild, as the
data shows prescriptions are
recorded against the month in
which they are dispensed, it
reflects true PBS growth rather
than patterns of PBS claims
processing, which are of no
relevance to monitoring the scheme.
“For the 12 months to 30
November 2012, the latest
available data based on date of
supply, PBS and Repatriation PBS
expenditure decreased by 0.5%,”
the Guild said in a statement.
“This is the first time in 20 years
that PBS expenditure has declined
year on year.
“The data published on the
Medicare Australia website
currently shows growth of 13.5%
year on year.
“The entire industry knows that
this completely misrepresents the
true condition of the PBS.
“The data is meaningless and of
no use to commentators, the
industry or policy makers, and
should not be published,” the Guild
added.
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