12 May 2010

The focus on health measures in this year’s Federal Budget has been welcomed by the National Prescribing Service, which says increased funding for nurse training, new pharmacy programs and a strong focus on PBS sustainability will help improve medicines use and overall public health outcomes.

NPS’s New drugs program, which provides information about PBS-listed medicines to health professionals and consumers, was also refunded for another four years at its current levels.

This program, which is on a different funding contract to other NPS programs, covers our clinical publications RADAR and Medicine Update, and decision support projects for both health professionals and consumers.

“We are really pleased with the Government’s decision to continue funding this important program, which not only shows its commitment to ensuring people have access to information about new drugs, but that our current program is hitting the mark,” NPS CEO Dr Lynn Weekes said.

“We also welcome the new programs funded under the Fifth Pharmacy Agreement that centre on quality use of medicines and improving health outcomes for consumers.”

It was also announced that NPS will receive some additional funding over the next four years to help raise awareness among consumers about generic medicines.

“In 2008 and 2009 NPS received awards for its Generic medicines are an equal choice campaign,” Dr Weekes said.

“With a number of commonly-used medicines coming off patent over the next few years, helping consumers to understand their medicines choices will be increasingly important.”

The National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation for quality use of medicines funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.