Healthy Skepticism Library item: 10210

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: news

Doctors urge PBAC independence
Pharmacy Daily (Australia) - registration required 2007 May 28
http://www.pharmacydaily.com.au/

Full text:

PLANS to make drug companies contribute to the running costs of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee have been slammed by the AMA.

AMA Victorian president Mark Yates, who sits on the PBAC, expressed concern about a loss of independence for the committee, under government plans for $11m in cost recoveries from drug manufacturers.

Speaking during a Q&A session with health minister Tony Abbott at an AMA conference last weekend, Dr Yates implored the minister to consider “the risks that we face” under the proposal.

Outgoing AMA president Mukesh Haikerwal said that $11m wasn’t a significant amount for the govt to pay to run the PBAC in the context of the $7 billion PBS.

However Abbott defended the cost recovery plan, saying the PBAC “is a very tough-minded and independent-spirited body” and wouldn’t be likely to be unduly influenced by the manufacturers.