Comparator Selection Subgroup Communique - 19 March 2019

Page last updated: 9 July 2019

The Comparator Selection subgroup met in Canberra on 19 March 2019. Attendees included representatives from Medicines Australia, the pharmaceutical industry and the Department of Health.

Members endorsed the outcomes and action items from the last meeting on 31 August 2018, and agreed to the revised subgroup scope.

Members discussed the impacts of section 101(3B) of the National Health Act 1953 on the decisions made by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC). Members also discussed the implications of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) pricing policies on listing medicines. Members agreed that further evidence and discussion is required on the impacts of PBAC comparator selection on patient access to PBS medicines.

Further consideration of the comparator selection issues will continue at the next meeting scheduled for July/August 2019.

PDF version of Comparator Selection Subgroup Communique - 19 March 2019 (262KB)