Pharmaceutical Benefits Division (PBD)

Information on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Division (PBD)

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Division aims to provide all Australians with access to cost-effective and high quality pharmaceutical services. The Division is responsible for the achievement of Outcome 2 – Access to Pharmaceutical Services - by:

• Improving health outcomes by ensuring access to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines for all eligible Australians;
• Maintaining the effectiveness and affordability of the PBS;
• Improving the efficiency of the PBS and the quality use of medicines;
• Improving health outcomes through National Medicines Policy initiatives;
• Implementing the Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement to ensure maintenance of a viable network of community pharmacies and fair payments to pharmacists for PBS medicine supply and professional services;
• Informing and managing cost effective listing considerations through support of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) and it's subcommittees; and
• Managing Australia’s obligations under the pharmaceutical provisions of the Australia United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA).

First Assistant Secretary

Branches

• Pharmaceutical Access Branch
• Pharmaceutical Policy Branch
• Pharmaceutical Evaluation Branch