Healthy Skepticism Library item: 9928

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: Journal Article

Doran E, Henry DA.
The PBS community awareness campaign: how helpful is blaming patients?
Med J Aust 2003 Nov 17; 179:(10):544-5
http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/179_10_171103/dor10622_fm.html

Abstract:

The current “Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) community awareness campaign” explicitly links the difficulties facing the PBS to patient behaviour and “waste”. The campaign suggests that patients are taking advantage of affordable access to prescription medicines, and emphasises that patient responsibility is “the prescription for a healthy PBS”. By neglecting to inform the public that the pressures facing the PBS also include doctors’ prescribing habits and intensive pharmaceutical industry marketing, the campaign has missed an opportunity to initiate a balanced and constructive debate about the future viability of the PBS.

Keywords:
Australia Humans Pharmaceutical Preparations/administration & dosage* Pharmaceutical Services/economics Pharmaceutical Services/statistics & numerical data* Physician's Practice Patterns*