Healthy Skepticism Library item: 10344

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

Mares P, Panichi J.
Owning the PBS
The National Interest, ABC Radio National (Australia) 2007 Jun 3
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/nationalinterest/stories/2007/1940042.htm

Abstract:

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is a much-loved aspect of Australia’s health care system – it ensures that essential medicines are subsidised by government and are available and affordable for those who need them. But the PBS doesn’t come cheap: in the last financial year subsidies for drugs on the PBS list cost more than $6 billion. So, it’s understandable that the government should try to keep costs down where it can. But could a saving of a mere $11 million dollars jeopardise the whole system? That’s how much it costs to run the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee and now the government wants to pharmaceutical industry to pick up the tab. But doctors are worried that could lead to a conflict of interest.

Guests
Associate Professor John Gullotta
Therapeutics Committee
Australian Medical Association

Tony Abbott
Federal Health Minister

Presenter
Peter Mares

Producer
James Panichi

Notes:

Audio accessible via link to ABC site