Too often we seem to forget in debates about our mythical “health system” that much healthcare is provided by private interests, whether private practitioners or companies.
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
Australia is falling behind in affordable medicines
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) has served Australians well for many years but recent policy changes are undermining the universality of this important health program, writes Jennifer Doggett.
Political snippets: Forget Murdoch, worry about Europe’s sovereign debt crisis
I fear the really important drama from the northern hemisphere is the continuing sovereign debt crisis, not News of the World.
13 new drugs for the PBS, but Roxon has a long way to go
Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon’s announcement of the addition of 13 new drugs to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme comes as a huge relief.
How the government can get serious about cutting PBS spending
The cost of the PBS must be sustainable but there is a difference between saving money and ensuring cost-effectiveness. The treatment of macular degeneration provides a compelling example, writes Ken Harvey, Richard Day, Willie Campbell, and Wendy Lipworth.
Paying for health care: how can we sustain it?
The constraints on public sector financing mean governments will need to play a more active role in determining what will, and will not, be funded in health care, writes Anne-marie Boxall.
‘My’ MS, a magic pill, and what the PBS fight means to me
The politics of turning the final approval of new medications into a Cabinet decision at the least, delays treatment to patients who may benefit from it. At the worst, it turns them down. Here’s what that means for me, and “my MS”, writes Shakira Hussein.
The PBS deserves sensible reform
The government has been taking some heat recently over its decision to defer listing of new medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Perhaps it’s time that some wider reforms of the PBS were considered, says Rebecca de Boer.
Drug giant takes legal action against influential government advisers
The global drug giant AstraZeneca has launched legal action against 17 members of the powerful Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, as well as the Minister for Health.
Health continues to top the charts
On top of the public hospital reform spending already announced with the COAG agreement, the 2010 Budget invests a further $2.2 billion over four years in health and hospital reform.
Beware the dangers of a US trade agreement
Obama and Rudd are negotiating a new trade agreement and we need to be very careful, warns Thomas Faunce and Ruth Townsend. Do we really want US corporations to have the power to sue Australian governments if our laws damage their investments?
Budget countdown: health caught in a catch 22
The more successful our health system, the longer Australians live — and the longer they will need aged care services of all varieties.
It’s time to put the community into “community” pharmacy
The next Community Pharmacy Agreement with the Pharmacy Guild is a perfect opportunity for Health Minister Nicola Roxon to bring the consumer voice in from the margin, writes Michael Johnston.
Richard Farmer’s view from Canberra
Meaty snippets from the home of government plus the daily reality check and the pick of other people’s political coverage. Richard Farmer writes.
Sigma takes a battering, pharmaceutical sector in turmoil
Pharmaceutical manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer Sigma was spanked in early ASX trade today following the release of disappointing results, writes Rob Lake.
