the pbs

Question 1

pbs

Answer 1

pharmaceutical benefits scheme

Question 2

who provides it and how does it work?

Answer 2

provided by the federal government (public health system)
- the PBS subsidises the cost of medicines with patients still having to make a co-payment

Question 3

their aim

Answer 3

• the original aim was to provide essential medicines to people who needed them, regardless of their ability to pay
• the aim is still the same today however it does not provide free medicines, instead they subsidise the cost of medications and consumers must make a co-payment

Question 4

patient co-payment

Answer 4

• $41.30
• $6.60 for concession cardholders
• government pays the remaining cost which are adjusted each year on January 1st (inflation)

Question 5

the pbs saftey net

Answer 5

• ensures people who spend a large amount of money on PBS medications receive additional financial support
• once they have spent $1497.20 on PBS- listed medicines within a calendar year, they then only have to pay the concessional co-payment rate of $6.60 instead of $41.30

Question 6

medications that are covered by the PBS

Answer 6

• there are currently around 5000 brands of medication on the PBS, including different brands of the same medicine
• these are all subsidised by the government
• these medications are for the most common and most necerssary medications in australia (eg. blood pressure medications)

Question 7

medicines not covered by the PBS

Answer 7

• require the patient to pay the full amount
• medications are reviewed three times a year by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC)

Question 8

the PBAC

Answer 8

• independent committee made up of health professionals who review and consider new medications for inclusion in the PBS
• no new medicine can be included unless the committee makes a positive recommendation
• must consider:
  
  • medical conditions for which the medicine is
    used
  • clinical effectiveness
  • safety
  • cost-effectiveness (value for money)