AMWG Interim Report to Government - Attachment D
Page last updated: 18 November 2008
Increased public input into PBAC Decision making processes - Publication of PBAC Agendas
Under its terms of reference the AMWG, in collaboration with the PBAC, is charged with improving the transparency of the decision making processes around the assessment of medicines for subsidy through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
To this aim, agreement has now been reached between the Department, Medicines Australia (MA) and the PBAC that a version of the PBAC agenda will be made publicly available 4 - 6 weeks before the relevant meeting. This will facilitate members of the public, including consumers and medical practitioners, to submit their views on the medicines being considered by the PBAC.
This agenda will be published on the Department’s website and will include the generic and trade name of the medicine, the sponsor and the purpose of the submission. No details will be published for submissions intended solely to affect pricing relativities.
The website with this information will allow members of the public to provide comments on the medicines being considered by the PBAC.
The AMWG believes that the publishing of a list of PBAC agenda items will allow consumers and others to provide input on the medicines being considered. A summary of this input will be made available to the PBAC and the sponsors and can be considered by the PBAC when assessing each medicine. This will give interested people and organisations more direct input into, and a better understanding of, the PBAC decision making process.
Discussion is continuing between the Department and MA on the detail of implementing this process from mid September in time for the November 2008 PBAC meeting.
