New Head for Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee
Doctor Suzanne Hill is to be the new chair of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), the Australian Government’s expert group of technical advisers who recommend listing of medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
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5 July 2011
Doctor Suzanne Hill is to be the new chair of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), the Australian Government’s expert group of technical advisers who recommend listing of medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, announced today Dr Hill would succeed Professor Lloyd Sansom as chair of PBAC.
Dr Hill is currently works for the World Health Organization in Geneva, in the Department of Medicines Policy and Standards, and was previously Associate Professor, Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Newcastle.
The PBAC is an independent, expert advisory body comprising doctors, other health professionals and a consumer representative and makes recommendations to the Australian Government about PBS listings after considering safety, clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of medicines for intended use compared with other available treatments.
Since 2007, the Government has, following PBAC recommendations, listed more than 500 new medicines or brands recommended by PBAC at a cost of more than $4 billion. This includes more than half a billion in the first six months of 2011.
“Dr Hill will bring to her new role a wealth of experience, at a time when rigorous assessments are as important as ever,” Ms Roxon said.
“Professor Sansom has set a high benchmark as PBAC chair over the last decade and I thank him for his excellent leadership and extraordinary hard work.”
“PBAC is a Committee full of people with enormous talent and energy and I’m sure they’d like to join me in thanking Lloyd and welcoming Suzanne.”
Professor Sansom will chair the July 2011 meeting of PBAC and its special meeting in August.
Dr Hill will become chair on 9 September 2011.
For all media inquiries, please contact the Minister's Office on 02 6277 7220
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