Better health and ageing for all Australians

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 Fourth 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 its subcommittees; and
  • Managing Australia’s obligations under the pharmaceutical provisions of the Australia United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA).

First Assistant Secretary

Rosemary Huxtable
Telephone: (02) 6289 6987

Branches

  • Community Pharmacy Branch
  • Policy and Analysis Branch
  • Pharmaceutical Evaluation Branch
  • Access and Systems Branch