Pharmaceutical benefit scheme (PBS)

what is it

federal governments subsidy scheme for essential medicines 

PBS safety net

after someone spends a certain amount of their money on PBS-listed medicines in a year they are given further subsidy

Pharmaceutical Benefits advisory committee (PBAC)

review and consider new medicines three times a year for the inclusion in the PBS

new medicines 

only be listed if the PBAC finds them clinically effective, safe, and cost-effective

Funding  

essential medicines are subsidised through the PBS

Sustainability 

Therapeutic goods, administration tests the effectiveness of medication. Medicines subsidised are regularly reviewed

Access

All Australian citizens can access subsidised Medicare through PBS, making it affordable. PBS has concession payout for low income earners, further subsidy makes it more affordable for low SES 

Equity

PBS safety net - those who have high out of pocket costs for medicine get the concession payment.  PBS concession payment for low income payers - rebates cost of essential medicines giving them more support to afford