Jane Prentice (Ryan, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yesterday in question time I asked the Prime Minister why, after 20 months following the PBAC’s first recommendation that the drug Soliris be listed, it still remains unlisted on the PBS. The consequence of this delay is that patients miss out. In 2000, the time frame for a TGA approved drug to be listed on the PBS was just over 13 months. Today the average time has swelled to 2½ years.

In 2001, the Howard government introduced a cabinet review for all drugs recommended by the PBAC which exceeded $10 million in cost. That was an efficient process that added much-needed scrutiny. However, the Labor government has allowed the process to degenerate. The time has blown out even more, despite the PBAC making a cost-effective determination.

Sadly, delays to life-saving or life-changing medicine are not the only concern. The other concerning aspect of the government’s role in the PBS scrutiny process is the rejection of 11 out of the 12 cost-effective submissions. These are submissions which have already been heavily and independently scrutinised by the PBAC and, of more concern, is that the government’s rejection is not made on cost minimisation grounds.

Whatever the government’s justification is for delays and, in some instances, rejection of PBS listings the consequence is clear: patients are forced to wait longer or to go without. This increased length of time or, indeed, outright rejection of new PBS listings by this government means things will get worse before they get better.