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How Are Drugs Made Available in Australia?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 March 2009

Robert L. Hodge
Affiliation:
National Heart Foundation of Australia

Extract

The release of prescription drugs in Australia for use by the medical profession is complicated because in practice there is a two-tier system determining availability. The first tier, for new drugs, involves evaluation for safety and efficacy prior to marketing. The final decision is made by the Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC) serviced by the Department of Health. In the second, much more unusual step, a decision is made by a different committee on whether the now-approved drug is to be included on the government-subsidized drug list (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme—PBS). Because the PBS list is unusually extensive for a country without a nationalized health service (1,184 items, including all forms and strengths of over 600 drugs) and because a large proportion of prescriptions are written for drugs on the PBS, the PBS Committee making the listing decisions has a major influence on prescribing patterns. In addition, the government is able to exert considerable pressure on drug prices.

Type
Special Section: The Evaluation of Drugs: An International Perspective
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1986

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References

REFERENCES

1.Commonwealth Department of Health. Schedule of pharmaceutical benefits for medical practitioners. Canberra, 1985.Google Scholar
2.Merck, Sharp, and Dohme (Australia) Pty., Ltd. Submission to Industries Assistance Commission inquiry into the pharmaceutical products industry. Canberra, 1985.Google Scholar
3.Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. Submission to the Industries Assistance Commission inquiry into the pharmaceutical products industry. Canberra, 1985.Google Scholar