FED:Keep PBS working, govt told

AAP General News (Australia)
08-10-2010
FED:Keep PBS working, govt told

CANBERRA, Aug 10 AAP - Keeping medicines cheap and the local industry churning should
be priorities for the next federal government, Medicines Australia says.

In its election platform released on Tuesday, the medicines industry group urged all
political parties to get behind the sector that "keeps Australians out of hospital (and)
prevents disease".

Top of the wishlist includes a promise to ensure the efficiency and sustainability
of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

The organisation's CEO Brendan Shaw on Tuesday said he was concerned Australians were
waiting longer for new medicines to be listed on the scheme.

In May, Labor signed a memorandum of understanding with the health body committing
to PBS reforms, and Dr Shaw wants the other parties to do the same.

"The MoU will provide industry with business certainty, ensure patients get medicines
and protect Australian jobs," Dr Shaw said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Parties must also support innovation and help keep Australia competitive."

Increasing global competition meant ensuring business certainty for the local industry
was more important than ever, he said.

Protecting intellectual property, making research and development more tax-friendly
and luring more clinical trials to the country were also priorities, Dr Shaw said.

The next government should increase the cost threshold for new medicines before they
require cabinet approval.

It should be lifted from $10 million a year to $20 million, Dr Shaw said.

"It could wipe 12 months off the time it takes some important new medicines to become
available," he said.

Dr Shaw said the $10 million threshold was set almost 10 years ago but had not been
revised since.

AAP cj/rl/mp/apm

KEYWORD: POLL10 MEDICINE

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