Labor’s PBS freeze is bad medicine
5th September, 2011
The Gillard Labor Government’s decision to indefinitely defer the listing of new medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) register is shortsighted and will hurt the most vulnerable in the community, Federal Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss said today.“The Government has overturned 50 years of practice on new PBS listings, meaning many people will have to wait years to access the medicines they need,” Mr Truss said.
“The only excuse the Government has offered for refusing to list new medicines is Budget pressures. Sick Australians are now among those who are paying for the Rudd-Gillard Labor Government’s reckless spending. The Government never seemed to worry when it was giving away money, building over priced school halls, or putting insulation into roofs. These wasted billions are now starting to really hurt our nation.
“People are at their most vulnerable when they are sick and if there are new medicines available that have been proved effective they should be made available.”
The Gillard Government suspended new PBS listings in February and has not provided any indication as to when the ban will be lifted. At that time there were seven medicines and a vaccine that were denied funding.
“I have great sympathy for those who find that the drug they need to either treat a disease or prevent one is not affordable because it can not be obtained under the PBS. This policy will shorten lives!” Mr Truss said.
“This is yet another demonstration of the Gillard Labor Government’s incompetence. The Government is already borrowing more than $100 million every day to pay for its wild spending but it can not afford to provide for the health of Australians, particularly those on low incomes.
“People are suffering without access to affordable new life saving drugs because the Labor Government waste has left the nation in so much debt.
“The Government must ensure that people can have affordable access to medicines and vaccines as and when the need arises. The Government must lift its PBS freeze immediately.”
