Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and the National Immunisation Program
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
National Immunisation Program
Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC)
Pharmaceutical Benefits Pricing Authority (PBPA)
How to apply for listing on the PBS
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
The Australian Government’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) provides reliable, timely and affordable access to a wide range of medicines for all Australians. The PBS provides a listing of medicines subsidised by government so that the cost to the consumer is less, sometimes hundreds or thousands of dollars, than the price of the medicine. The operations of the PBS are embodied in National Health Act 1953 (Part VII) and in the National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Regulations under the Act. The PBS is updated monthly to include new listings and the latest changes.Further information on the PBS
National Immunisation Program
The current National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule, which started on 1 July 2007, outlines the recommended vaccines by age group which are funded by the Immunise Australia Program. States and territories may choose whatever combination of vaccines from those listed on the National Health Act 1953 Determination 2009 (Immunisation Program – Designated Vaccines) as best suits the needs of geographic and demographic conditions.Further information on the National Immunisation Program
Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC)
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) is an independent statutory body established in 1954 under the National Health Act 1953 (section 101) to make recommendations and give advice to the Minister for Health and Ageing about which drugs and medicinal preparations should be made available as pharmaceutical benefits. A new drug needs a PBAC recommendation to be made available as a pharmaceutical benefit. In 2006 these functions were extended to vaccines on the National Immunisation Program (NIP).PBAC is required by the Act to consider the effectiveness and cost of a proposed benefit compared to alternative therapies. In making its recommendation the committee may, on the basis of community usage, recommend maximum quantities and repeats, and also recommend restrictions as to the indications where PBS subsidy is available. When recommending listings, PBAC provides advice to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Pricing Authority (PBPA) regarding comparison with alternatives or their cost-effectiveness.
Further information on PBAC
PBAC guidelines
PBAC Current membership
PBAC outcomes
Pharmaceutical Benefits Pricing Authority (PBPA)
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Pricing Authority (PBPA) is an independent non-statutory body established in 1988 to review the prices of existing products supplied under the PBS. Since 2006, this role has extended to reviewing vaccine prices on the NIP and recommending prices for new items to be listed on the PBS and NIP.Further information on PBPA
How to apply for listing on the PBS
If a drug or medicinal preparation is not already listed on the PBS, a submission in accordance with the relevant guidelines should be submitted for referral to PBAC.Application form PB11 - Application to list a Drug or Medicinal Preparation as a Pharmaceutical Benefit
Further information
Further information about the PBS, PBAC or how to make an application for listing is available from:| Website | PBAC website |
| Contact details | Department of Health and Ageing PBAC Secretariat MDP 952 GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601 Ph: (02) 6289 7099 |
Page currency, Latest update: 04 November, 2011
