Media Releases and Communiques
Health Ministers agree to new purchasing arrangements for diagnostic products
New arrangements for the purchasing of diagnostic products used to test blood donations in Australia have been agreed to by the Australian Health Ministers' Conference.
10 May 2004
Press release by the Chair of AHMC
Health Ministers agree to new purchasing arrangements for diagnostic products
The Australian Health Ministers' Conference (AHMC) has agreed to new arrangements for the purchasing of diagnostic products used to test blood donations in Australia, the Chair of AHMC, David Llewellyn MHA, announced today.Under the new arrangements, which will apply from 1 July 2005, governments will continue to fund public sector bodies for the purchase of these important products, but public pathology laboratories and other bodies will be free to purchase them on the open market.
"Ministers have agreed to these new purchasing arrangements in order to ensure proper competition within the market and to promote careful choice and use of products in the public sector", Mr Llewellyn said.
The new arrangements will replace a national agreement between governments and CSL Ltd to supply these products. This arrangement has been in place for some ten years.
The change in purchasing arrangements will not involve any changes to the commitment of governments to provide services free of charge to Australian patients. Nor will it involve any change to arrangements for the free unremunerated supply of blood and blood products by the Australian community for the benefits of those who need such products.
The diagnostic products will continue to be regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to ensure that product and manufacturing standards are met.
Media Contact: Stewart Prins (03 6233 2451)
