MEDIA RELEASE – CSO wholesalers have labelled the Grattan Institute’s latest report on PBS medicine pricing as “a simplistic response to a complex problem”.
National Pharmaceutical Services Association (NPSA) Chair and Sigma Pharmaceuticals CEO Mark Hooper said the report released today showed little understanding of the enormous pressure on the pharmaceutical supply chain system.
“For the Grattan Institute to say their solutions would not undermine pharmacist income demonstrates a lack of understanding of the wider issues at play in Australia,” he said.
“The pharmaceutical supply chain system in its current form is unsustainable because of the PBS price reforms that have had a huge impact on how the delivery model is funded.
“Less than 10% of PBS medicines are now profitable to distribute because of the way the CSO wholesalers are remunerated. The whole remuneration arrangement requires reconsideration and that is exactly what NPSA has provided in its evidenced-based approach to the Review of Pharmacy Remuneration and Regulation.
“Simply advocating further PBS price cuts is only going to put further pressure on an already stressed system and will threaten the accessibility of medicines for Australian patients.”
The NPSA represents CSO wholesalers Australian Pharmaceutical Industries, National Pharmacies, Sigma Pharmaceuticals and Symbion.
Contact: Donna Staunton on 0413 185 724 or Donna Edman on 0419 850 174