More suffering for seriously ill Australians

Health Minister Nicola Roxon has rejected a plea from a coalition of 60 health groups to expand the government’s list of subsidised medicines, leaving thousands of seriously ill Australians without affordable access to new treatments.

The health groups yesterday (21 June 2011) released a letter to be sent to all MPs calling on the government to reverse its decision to defer subsidies for eight new drugs.

The groups, which include MS Australia, Diabetes Australia and SANE Australia, say the decision has left thousands of people either without access to the new treatments or facing a major cost burden.

“Affordable medicines and vaccines that save and prolong lives are being denied to some of the most vulnerable, chronically ill Australians by a short-sighted decision by the government. Australia can afford these new medicines now,” the letter stated.

History

Decisions on medicines to be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) have previously been made by an expert committee that considers their clinical benefits and cost-effectiveness.

However, in February the government announced it would override the advice of the committee and indefinitely defer inclusion on the PBS of eight drugs – including for chronic pain, schizophrenia and lung disease – due to budgetary constraints.

Since that decision, the committee has recommended a further seven drugs be subsidised, including for colon cancer, multiple sclerosis and bipolar disorder. Cabinet is yet to announce its position on those drugs.

What the experts say…

Consumers Health Forum chief executive officer, Carol Bennett, said the government’s intervention “set a dangerous precedent” that risked politicising decisions on essential medicines.

Ms Bennett said delayed PBS listings would probably increase costs to the government because patients would go without the most appropriate medications.

Medicines Australia acting chief executive officer, Andrew Bruce, said pharmaceutical companies paid authorities hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees to have drugs evaluated for the Australian market and PBS.

“They may seriously consider whether it’s worth launching here if the current uncertainty continued,” he said.

But Ms Roxon has refused to budge on the issue.

“I must take [the committee’s] advice and consider it alongside the community’s other health needs. This government will continue to consider each recommendation on its merits,” she said.