Entries by YeeHar

Is that drug listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme? NSW Cancer Conference 2023 Poster #186

/in , , , ,

https://tacshealthcare.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/NSW-CC-Sep-2023-Poster-186.pdf Objective As one of the three pillars of Australia’s universal public health system, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) provides equitable access to medicines for all Australians. Cancer is a leading cause of death of Australians (18% in 2020).1 Hence, timely availability of new treatments on the PBS has become more critical than ever. This […]

Environmental impact: ​A consideration for future pricing and reimbursement?​

/in ,

According to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, medicines are responsible for ~25% of the UK NHS’s carbon emissions [1].​ These emissions result from the manufacture, procurement, transportation, and use of medicines (20%), with the remaining 5% specifically from inhalers and anaesthetic gases [1]. ​ On a global level, the health sector has been estimated to contribute approximately 4.4% of global net emissions by the Health […]

Streamlining PBS processes – initial submission categories

/in ,

While the “Streamlining PBS Processes” work has completed, and the Strategic Agreement 2017-2022 of which it was a part, has passed into history, what is the ongoing impact? The new classification of submission types became effective from the PBAC July 2021 Meeting (March 2021 cut-off). This meant the loss of the ‘major’ and ‘minor’ labels […]

Mistakes – how to be successful and popular?

/in

A recent study found no association between perfectionism and productivity at work. However, it did reveal that certain types of perfectionists are less popular with their colleagues. A “self-oriented perfectionist” sets very high standards only for him/herself; a “socially prescribed perfectionist” believes that the acceptance of others is dependent on his/her own perfection; while the […]

The transparency conundrum

/in , , ,

True transparency requires more than making information available. According to Rio Tinto, it was a ‘misunderstanding’ with the local Indigenous community that resulted in the destruction of 46,000 year-old sacred sites in May this year. The company had Government approval and stakeholders had been informed. All boxes checked. Obviously, that was not enough. Since 2015, […]

Who should input to HTA decision-making?

/in ,

Patient engagement Patient input to HTA decision-making as a subject in the literature has peaked and plateaued in recent years (Figure 1). As a consequence of research and initiatives, such as those noted at the end of this article, the rationale for patient involvement in HTA is now well understood. However, there is still a […]

NICE and PBAC

/in , , ,

The current review of NICE is a useful foil upon which to consider the announced refresh of the Australian National Medicines Policy. Both are being driven by concern that access processes are not keeping pace with biomedical innovation. The table below provides a side by side comparison of the two appraisal systems and HTA reimbursement […]

Health Care Systems 2.0

/in , ,

Add periodic pandemics to the ageing populations, accelerating rates of chronic disease, innovative technologies and price increases that are already challenging the durability of healthcare systems and the phrase, ‘a perfect storm’ comes to mind. Prioritisation Prior to this recent challenge*, many countries have managed their health care system budgets by using a variety of […]