PBAC
Preparing for PBAC Consumer Comments
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is the main mechanism via which the Government subsidises the cost of medications used by the community. Medicines can only be included on the PBS if recommended for listing by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), an independent expert body that includes health professionals, consumer nominees and an industry nominee. The PBAC is legally required, in evaluating applications for PBS subsidy, to take into account the clinical effectiveness, safety and cost effectiveness (value for money) of the medication concerned compared to other available therapies. The PBAC meets three times a year, usually in March, July and November.
Professor Andrew Wilson is the Chair of the PBAC. He has specialist professional qualifications in clinical medicine and public health medicine and a PhD in epidemiology.
Ms Jo Watson is the Deputy Chair of the PBAC. She is also the Chair of the Health Technology Assessment Consumer Consultative Committee, Deputy Chair of the Consumers Health Forum, and a long standing consumer nominee and advocate.
The PBAC comprises of 19 other members who each have relevant experience and expertise.
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) have advised they will consider Trikafta for those aged 6 to 11 at the November 2022 meeting.
Consultations are now open and the PBAC welcomes input from patients, carers, health professionals, consumer groups or organisations and members of the public.
The closing date for input is Wednesday 21 September 2022. To provide your input visit: https://bit.ly/3OGgV71
Consumer comments are provided to the PBAC’s consumer representative, who reviews and collates the comments for the PBAC agenda.
All comments received will be considered by the PBAC. Issues from individuals, with names removed, will be summarised for the applicant and the PBAC. The complete summary of comments from groups or organisations will be provided to the PBAC and the applicant.
PBAC Consumer Feedback Forum
Held 7 September 2022
Dr Sonia Marshall was awarded the 2016 CF Consumer Advocacy Network (CF CAN), an achievement only attainable by the most diligent and mindful of workers. She has been titled the 2019 USC’s Outstanding Alumnus, rewarded for her drive and her communication techniques to create change and progress within the public health system. Her daughter, Evie, won the First National Real Estate Leadership Award, 2019, only at the age of 13, for her successful campaigning in her efforts to allow other people with cystic fibrosis to have easier access to life-extending medication, Orkambi. As a PhD graduate from USC in 2010, Sonia is passionate and dedicated to the welfare of lives affected by cystic fibrosis, and will be speaking on the PBAC process and how to provide consumer feedback.
When making a submission it is important to note the content of your submission matters more than how many submissions are provided. It is important to provide your personal experiences such as: your current treatment regime, any medications you are on, include your airway clearance regime, any co morbidities you have, your current lung functions and any side effects you have noted.
Encourage your family to also lodge a submission outlining the impact your health has on their life, and how that would change if the drug was listed. this medication would have on them. /if your work life is affected, encourage your work colleagues to write a submission on how your health impacts your work.
The Patient Voice Initiative have provided a tip sheet for providing consumer feedback. Tip Sheet
Cystic Fibrosis Australia Consumer Connect has also provided a recording of their consumer connect session with PBAC Deputy Chair Jo Watson.
