Step 9: Agreement on usage estimates

The Department of Health and Ageing makes a Cabinet Submission for medicines that will cost the PBS more than $10 million a year.

Considerable time and effort is required to prepare a Cabinet submission and the timing of Cabinet consideration is not divulged.

• The Drug Utilisation Sub Committee (DUSC) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Pricing Authority (PBPA) secretariats will discuss usage estimates with you to reach an agreed position. This agreement is confirmed in writing.  
• Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Department of Finance and Deregulation, the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and Medicare Australia may also comment on Cabinet submissions on PBS listings. The submission includes agreed pricing and risk-sharing arrangements, usage estimates, restrictions, cost to the PBS and other relevant information.

Handy hint: You may be asked to provide extra information to include in the Cabinet submission.

• Cabinet may endorse the listing, and the Minister for Health and Ageing confirms this decision and lists the medicine, OR
• Cabinet rejects the recommendation for listing.

You can find contact details for the PBPA and DUSC on the PBS Contacts page