Genuine transparency needed to protect PBS
AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, said today that decision-making about drugs listed on the PBS must be genuinely transparent to protect the viability of the Scheme.
Commenting on the Government's draft independent review mechanism for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), Dr Glasson said reasons for PBAC decisions - positive or negative - must be made public.
"The AMA has campaigned to keep the PBS out of the Australia- US Free Trade Agreement," Dr Glasson said.
"However, now that the FTA has been signed, we welcome the Government's assurances that it will not allow the PBS to be threatened by the Agreement.
"The AMA rates the Government's consultation paper as a good start. We particularly welcome:
- an independent reviewer for each review
- reports and recommendations of reviews to return to PBAC
- the right of all stakeholders in the PBS to be informed about the basis of all aspects of PBAC considerations and recommendations, including independent reviews
- this information to include relevant clinical, economic and use data.
"It is vital that the detailed proposal still to be developed on transparency principles reflects these issues.
"PBS listing decisions must be transparent across the board, including the data submitted to PBAC by the pharmaceutical companies, PBAC recommendations, reviews, and responses to those reviews.
"Access to this information will help doctors make better care decisions. Better transparency will help doctors evaluate the effectiveness of medicines.
"Any decisions to make data confidential should be the exception rather than the rule.
"Reviews will not, and should not, be automatic every time PBAC makes a recommendation not to list a particular drug.
"Much will depend on both the calibre and the independence of the chair of the review process, and of each reviewer.
"The AMA has advocated throughout this debate that any reviews must be truly independent, and not dominated by any sectional interest, be that industry, professions, consumers, or government.
"Formal responses to the Government's consultation paper close on 20 August 2004. The final verdict on whether the PBS will be protected under the FTA can not be made until all these details are finalised," Dr Glasson said.