Healthy Skepticism Library item: 19843

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: Magazine

Ferguson H
Divisions to expand drug savings program
Australian Doctor 2005 Sep 23
http://www.australiandoctor.com.au/news/divisions-to-expand-drug-savings-program

Abstract:

About one-third of the divisions network is expected to sign up to the measure and share” initiative, which offers financial incentives for reductions in GP prescribing.Launched in 2002, the scheme gives divisions a 50% slice of the total savings they make on PBS spending across four areas: antibiotics, cardiovascular drugs, peptic ulcer drugs and NSAIDs.The divisions can then reinvest the funds into other primary health services.About 40 divisions are expected to take part this year, but the initiative, officially known as the Enhanced Divisional Quality Use of Medicines Program, has been controversial, with critics describing it as an early form of fund-holding a claim denied by the ADGP.So far its success has been limited. Only six of the 13…