NPS MedicineWise welcomes longer term certainty of funding: budget 2018

NPS MedicineWise welcomes the announcement of four years of Commonwealth funding for the continuation of its work to improve quality use of medicines and medical tests.

Announced as part of Budget 2018, the Government has committed to supporting the work of NPS MedicineWise over the next four years to improve quality use of medicines, healthcare services and medical tests.

Dr Lynn Weekes AM, Chief Executive Officer of NPS MedicineWise says, “Quality use of medicines and medical tests remains a cornerstone of quality healthcare and we are pleased the Australian Government has reaffirmed its ongoing commitment and support for our work.

“We welcome longer term funding certainty and will work closely with the Department of Health to determine key priorities and deliverables for the next four years.”

NPS MedicineWise also acknowledges and welcomes the substantial investment across the health portfolio, particularly in relation to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

The significant investment in new PBS listings and provision for future listings will help improve consumer access to new and innovative medicines in key areas of need. We also welcome the ongoing commitment to improve knowledge and understanding about biosimilars, and the strengthening of the Life Saving Drugs Program to enhance access to expensive medicines for Australians with life-threatening and rare diseases.

“NPS MedicineWise will continue to support health professionals and consumers to make and act on the best decisions about medicines, medical tests and other health choices, and this is especially important as medicines and other health technologies become more complex and targeted,” says Dr Weekes.

She adds, ”We have a key role supporting the implementation of many of these new and ongoing initiatives as a go-to source of credible, independent and evidence-based information about safe and effective use of medicines and health technologies.”

This year, NPS MedicineWise celebrates 20 years of leading quality use of medicines in Australia. Its work contributes to the sustainability of the PBS and MBS. Since inception programs have delivered over $1 billion in savings along with demonstrable improvements in health outcomes for Australians.

ENDS