1 May 2014 - The National Commission of Audit report released today is a fundamentally flawed analysis of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

“The fact is the PBS is sustainable and needs no further savings measures, as demonstrated by the Commission of Audit’s own numbers,” said Medicines Australia Chief Executive, Dr Brendan Shaw.

“Many of the Commission’s recommendations show an ignorance of what’s really happening in Australia and in other countries where these types of policies have been introduced.

“Access to life-saving medicines means Australian patients can afford and receive new medicines coming into the country, but these new medicines may not even make it to Australia if some of the recommendations in the Commission’s report are implemented.

“As well as being dangerous for Australian patients, the Commission of Audit has completely misunderstood the economics driving the pharmaceutical market in Australia.

For more details, go to: http://medicinesaustralia.com.au/2014/05/01/commission-of-audit-report-flawed-on-pbs/#more-11827