Jan McLucas (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers) Share this | Hansard source

I think, like any new legislation, it will be constantly being observed to make sure that its intent is being delivered. In terms of any formal review that has been flagged by the government, I think we just moved an amendment to the second reading, which talks about a six-monthly discussion between the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, the National Pharmaceutical Services Association, the Generic Medicines Industry Association and Medicines Australia that will happen every six months ‘on the impact of the reforms in this bill and any unintended consequences or relevant issues and to table a report on this discussion every six months’. In terms of a formal process, that has been inserted into the bill as a second reading amendment.

I can assure you, Senator Siewert, that the government will be watching very closely the implementation of these measures. Should changes be required, I am sure we will make them; however, we think we have got it right in terms of the period of data collection that is required and also the period of time required in order to validate the process and allow time for appeal before drawing up the schedule again.