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Inquiry into National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical and Other Benefits - Cost Recovery) Bill 2008

Terms of Reference

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On 18 June 2008 the Senate referred the National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical and Other Benefits – Cost Recovery) Bill 2008 to the Community Affairs Committee for inquiry and report not before 18 August 2008.

The motion to refer the Bill also included the principal matters for consideration which are:

1. That the National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical and Other Benefits – Cost Recovery) Bill 2008 be referred to the Community Affairs Committee for inquiry and report not before 18 August 2008, together with the following matters:
   1. the impact of the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS) cost recovery on:
      1. patients' timely and affordable access to medicines,
      2. the Australian pharmaceutical industry,
      3. new products and innovation, and
      4. the independence of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee;
   2. cost recovery mechanisms in other countries;
   3. how cost recovery will improve the timeliness and effectiveness of the current PBS process for listing new medicines; and
   4. the modelling and consultation underpinning the decision.
2. That, in conducting its inquiry, the committee hear evidence, inter alia, from the pharmaceutical industry, generic medicines industry, consumer and patient health groups, the Department of Health and Ageing, the PBS Evaluation Units and the Australian Medical Association and other medical bodies.

The Bill, second reading speech, and Bills Digest may be accessed via the link: Legislation and documentation to the Bill

The Committee invites you to provide a written submission addressing issues that may be of relevance to you. The submission should be lodged by 14 July 2008. The Committee prefers to receive submissions electronically as an attached document – email: community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au – otherwise by fax (02 6277 5829).

Submissions should be addressed to:

The Secretary
Senate Community Affairs Committee
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra  ACT  2600

The Committee intends to hold a hearing on the Bill on 28 July 2008 in Canberra.

Submissions become Committee documents and are made public only after a decision by the Committee. Publication of submissions includes loading them onto the internet and their being available to other interested parties including the media. Persons making submissions must not release them without the approval of the Committee. Submissions are covered by parliamentary privilege but the unauthorised release of them is not protected.

Information relating to Senate Committee inquiries, including notes to assist in the preparation of submissions for a Committee, can be located on the Internet at http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/wit_sub/index.htm

Should you require further information please contact the Committee Secretariat on (02) 6277 3515.

E-mail: community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au

For further information, contact:

Committee Secretary
Community Affairs Committee
Department of the Senate
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia

Phone:	+61 2 6277 3515
Fax:	+61 2 6277 5829
Email:	community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au

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