Australians will benefit from cheaper medicines, a more competitive pharmacy sector and greater investment in new medicines and patient support services as part of a “balanced” package of pharmaceutical reforms announced by the Abbott Government today. 

Minister for Health Sussan Ley today announced the Government’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Access and Sustainability Package of reforms following months of constructive consultations and robust negotiations across the entire pharmaceutical supply chain, including consumers, pharmacists, medicines manufacturers, wholesalers and doctors.

Ms Ley said this “hand in glove” approach had enabled the Government to put together a reform package that struck the “right balance” between supporting the needs of consumers, industry and taxpayers.

“Throughout the Government’s negotiations with the entire pharmaceutical supply chain we have had consumers at the core of our negotiations and I think this shines through in the sensible measures we’re delivering,” Ms Ley said.

This includes measures that will see: the price of medicines discounted for patients and improved access to new medicines; greater certainty for medicines manufacturers via a five year strategic agreement; and an additional $2.8 billion investment in supporting pharmacy and primary care.

Ms Ley said stakeholders recognised the need to deliver a more sustainable PBS to ensure the Government could continue to list new medicines, with the package also proposing total efficiencies of $6.6 billion over five years across the entire pharmaceutical supply chain.

“The Abbott Government has doubled the number of drug listings for consumers since coming to office when compared to Labor – a significant investment of almost $3 billion in just over 18 months.

“In fact, this Government is now delivering an average of about 30 new and amended drug listings for patients each month compared to an average of just eight under Labor.

For more details, go to: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/health-mediarel-yr2015-ley063.htm