Reform is needed, but will the current Bill enact the best options?
Two articles in this issue of the Journal1,2 comment on a complex but important piece of legislation put forward by the Minister for Health and Ageing — the National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) Bill 2007 (the Bill).3
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- 1. Searles A, Jefferys S, Doran E, Henry DA. Reference pricing, generic drugs and proposed changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. [Published online ahead of print, Med J Aust 13 June 2007.] <MJA full text>
- 2. Faunce TA. Reference pricing for pharmaceuticals: is the Australia–United States Free Trade Agreement affecting Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme? [Published online ahead of print, Med J Aust 13 June 2007.] <MJA full text>
- 3. The Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, House of Representatives. National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) Bill 2007. Explanatory memoranda. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/bill_em/nhabsb2007473/ (accessed Jun 2007).
- 4. Hon. Tony Abbott MP, Minister for Health and Ageing. Second reading speech: National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) Bill 2007, House of Representatives, Debates, 24 May 2007. http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/reps/dailys/dr240507.pdf (accessed Jun 2007).
- 5. Parliament of Australia Senate. Inquiry into National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) Bill 2007. http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/clac_ctte/nat_hth_pbs_07/ (accessed Jun 2007).
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Ken Harvey is a member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and the ALP candidate for Kooyong in the forthcoming federal election. Anthony Harris and Liliana Bulfone are part of a group at Monash University providing commentaries to the Australian Government on submissions to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.