Fed: PBS must be brought under control: Patterson
CANBERRA, April 11 AAP - Health Minister Kay Patterson has warned the PharmaceuticalBenefits Scheme (PBS) must be brought under control as the government prepares to slash$2 billion from the scheme.
Senator Patterson, while refusing to confirm leaks that the May Budget will force upthe cost of drugs under the PBS by 10 per cent, said the scheme had to be managed in asustainable manner.
"Drugs are going up faster than CPI and the demand for drugs is going up," she said.
"It is a whole of community response to ensure that the PBS is sustainable into the future."
Labor and the Australian Medical Association (AMA) claim the government is going toforce the sick and poor pay the price for the growth in the PBS.
AMA president Kerryn Phelps said health care holders and pensioners would be the hardesthit if the price of drugs was forced up.
"Slashing $2 billion from the PBS budget over the next two years can only harm thesickest and poorest in our community," Dr Phelps said.
"If there are going to be any changes to the PBS it has to be what's best for patientsnot what's best for the budget bottom line."
Opposition health spokesman Stephen Smith said that before the election the governmentencouraged people to use the PBS.
"This is another classic case of one story before the election, another story afterthe election," he said.
"It'll be the sickest and the poorest who'll be hit the hardest."
AAP sw/ldj/sb
KEYWORD: BUDGET DRUGS DAYLEAD
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