2012 Changes to PBS Pricing Arrangements – National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Amendment Regulation 2012 (No. 4) – made on 12 July 2012

24 August 2012

Amendments to the National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Regulations 1960 will commence on 1 October 2012, to make flow-on changes for price disclosure, ex-manufacturer pricing and prescriber bag arrangements in accordance with changes to the National Health Act 1953. The National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) Act 2012 received royal assent on 28 June 2012 and will commence on 1 October 2012.  An explanation of the changes to the Act is available at www.pbs.gov.au/info/industry/pricing/pricing-arrangements

Schedule 7 of the amended Regulations sets out the fall-back approved ex-manufacturer prices for 16 brands of pharmaceutical items. These prices form part of the transition from 'approved price to pharmacists' to 'approved ex-manufacturer price’ which applies for all medicines from 1 October 2012.  However, any price agreement or determination made separately for 1 October 2012 will override the price in the Regulations, and future prices may be set out in other agreements or determinations.

The amending Regulation and its Explanatory Statement are available at www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2012L01552/Download