Chemotherapy Budget Measure
The Australian Government will delay implementation of the chemotherapy budget measure from 1 July by two months.
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27 April 2009
The Australian Government will delay implementation of the chemotherapy budget measure from 1 July this year by two months to 1 September – to work with key stakeholders on resolving outstanding issues and to negotiate with industry stakeholders on modified arrangements.
The Government has been consulting and listening to the concerns of key stakeholders through both the Health Minister’s office and the Department of Health and Ageing.
This is a measure from last year’s Budget – projected to save $105 million over three years – which the Government is committed to pursuing to reduce waste in the supply of chemotherapy medicines.
We are, however, keen to continue working with stakeholders and the industry to make sure we get the details right.
The current arrangements for funding chemotherapy drugs mean that the Government pays for more medicine than patients actually require.
Pursuing the most efficient arrangements for supplying expensive cancer drugs is important so that the taxpayer gets value for money for these important medicines, and so that the Government is able to fund other important cancer therapies as they become available.
Patient safety and access to chemotherapy medications will not be compromised by this measure.
For more information contact the Minister’s office on 02 6277 7220
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