What is the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)?

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidises the cost of new medications needed by the community. A PBS listing makes high cost medications more affordable for the people who need them. The PBS is an Australian Government program administered by the Department of Health and Ageing.

Who decides which medications are listed on the PBS?

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) is an independent, expert body which reviews submissions for PBS subsidy. The PBAC meets 3 times a year to review submissions to list new medications on the PBS. It makes recommendations to Government about whether to list a medication on the PBS. The PBAC’s recommendations inform the Government’s decision about which medications to put on the PBS.

How to comment on a PBS submission

The PBAC welcomes independent comments from members of the public, patients, carers, family members, healthcare professionals and patient or consumer groups. The PBAC is interested in your personal perspective (or on behalf of a group) on the potential benefits or impact that a new medication has for patients, carers and their families. This may include, for example, impact on the patient’s quality of life and other benefits that may arise from a medicine being subsidised on the PBS.

How to submit your comments on a PBS submission Step 1: A list of submissions for each PBAC meeting is published on the Department of Health and Ageing website six weeks before the meeting. The PBAC meeting schedule and closing dates for public comments can be found by clicking here or typing the below address:

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/PBAC-Meeting-Agenda-and-Consumer-Comments-lp

Comments for the PBAC’s March meeting can be submitted
from 25 January to 8 February, 2012.

Step 2: There are three ways you can submit comments on a PBAC submission. Your comments must be submitted before the closing date (8 February is the closing date for submissions at the March meeting).

1. Online via the Department of Health and Ageing website by clicking here or typing the below address: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/PBAC_online_submission_form  

2. Request a form by calling (02) 6289 8592 and send the completed form to the Department of Health and Ageing before the closing date

3. Write a letter of support and send it to PBAC, GPO Box 9848, Canberra, ACT 2601 before the closing date

All comments submitted by the closing date will be considered by the PBAC.

The outcomes of the PBAC meeting will be made available on the Department of Health and Ageing website six weeks after each PBAC meeting by clicking here or typing the below address:

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-pbs-general-outcomes_full.htm