Ware, Francis and Read (page 627) express some concerns about the processes used in the Australian government’s decisions about funding for positron emission tomography (PET). We appreciate the Journal’s invitation to comment. I will briefly describe the workings of the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC), the particular processes that have been undertaken in respect of PET, and the recommendations and funding decisions that flowed from those processes.
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- Australian Department of Health and Ageing, Canberra, ACT.
- 1. Report of the Review of Positron Emission Tomography. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia, 2000. Available at: www.health.gov.au/haf/pet/petfinal.htm (accessed May 2004).
- 2. Medicare Services Advisory Committee. Positron emission tomography: technology assessment report. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia, 2000. Available at: www.msac.gov.au/pdfs/msacref02.pdf (accessed May 2004).
- 3. Medical Services Advisory Committee. Positron emission tomography: assessment report [part 2(i)]. May 2001. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia, 2002. Available at: www.msac.gov.au/pdfs/msacref10i.pdf (accessed May 2004).
- 4. Medical Services Advisory Committee. Positron emission tomography: assessment report [part 2(ii)]. August 2001. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia, 2002. Available at: www.msac.gov.au/pdfs/msacref10ii.pdf (accessed May 2004).