Dementia patients may go without drugs
Dementia patients fear they will no longer have access to life-improving treatments after the government announced it would review the cost-effectiveness of subsidising drugs for sufferers. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) it would review all medications available.
Dementia patients fear they will no longer have access to life-improving treatments after the government announced it would review the cost-effectiveness of subsidising drugs for sufferers.
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) announced on Monday (4 June 2012) it would review all medications available to dementia sufferers under the government’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
The announcement followed an initial review by the committee that found “these medicines were being prescribed to a much larger population for longer periods of time than was originally agreed as cost-effective by the PBAC”.
Alzheimer’s Australia told AAP patients and their carers were worried the review might mean the drugs would no longer be discounted and would become unaffordable.
“People with dementia and carers are alarmed by the announcement of this review,” Alzheimer’s Australia chief executive, Glenn Rees, said.
If the drugs are no longer offered on the PBS, or restrictions on accessing them are made tougher, the cost could reach $150 per month, he added.
“That’s quite a lot for many of these people because they would have lost their incomes or they’ll be on pensions.”
Alzheimer’s Australia president, Ita Buttrose, said carers were particularly concerned about what the review might mean.
“What those drugs do is improve the quality of life for a person with dementia,” Ms Buttrose said in a released statement.
“It adds another stress to the whole business of caring. They’re thinking now the drugs aren’t going to be available.”
The government has welcomed the review of the drugs. A response is being sought from the Department of Health and Ageing.
