Carol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Tourism) | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to speak on the National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2019. Labor will support this bill, which amends the National Health Act 1953 to make two relatively minor changes to the supply of medicines. The first change implements a measure from the 2018 budget to recover the cost of the pharmacy approvals process from applicants. The second change aims to continue the supply of PBS medicines following bankruptcy or external administration of pharmacies. The government says this will ensure that access to pharmaceutical benefits at an affected pharmacy is not compromised. Labor have consulted with pharmacists on this bill, and, as I say, we will support it.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank senators for their contributions and commend the bill to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.