Albanese Government indefinitely DEFERS patient access to 44 medicines on PBS
Better Access Australia is urging community and patient groups to sign a petition demanding the Albanese Government reverse its decision to indefinitely defer 44 medicines from being listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Read more in our media release here.
The Australian - Drug Authority Decision Wipes Dozens of Lifesaving New Medicines From Pipeline
Shadow Minister Ruston Media Release - Affordable Medicines Deferred under Albanese Labor Government
PBAC Defers 44 Submissions Due To Capacity Constraints
The Australian - Health officials warn of ‘practical limitations’ to medicine subsidies despite 'triage'
Professor Robyn Ward AM appeared at the Senate Committee for Community Affairs on 27 November 2024 to explain her committee’s decision to recommend 45 medicines be deferred from consideration at the March 2025 PBAC meeting.
It’s Happened Before — The History Of Deferrals
In 2011 the then Labor Government tried to defer the listing of 7 medicines on the PBS. The community and parliament stood up to the Government and won. It’s time to do it again and learn from these lessons of the past.
The Senate Community Affairs Committee reporting into Cabinet PBS Deferrals
Medicines Australia - Cabinet’s PBS deferrals mean patients miss out
Australian Prescriber - Deferring PBAC Decisions: Industry View
Pharmacy Daily - Senate PBS Deferral Inquiry
Consumer Health Forum of Australia - Submission to the Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee Inquiry into the Government’s administration of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
Medicines Australia - Submission to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee inquiry into the administration of the PBS, July 2011