TGA News Issue 19 (June 2005) - Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme news
Note: The information in this issue of TGA News may no longer be current. Please check with the TGA before relying on the information on these web pages.
Discontinuing PBS products
When a product is delisted from the PBS, the Department tries to give several month's advance notice through the PBS Schedule and its amendments. This gives time for patients to transfer to alternative medication.
Recently, there have been a number of PBS products which have been discontinued with little or no warning from the supplier. This can reflect badly on the industry as well as the PBS.
It is appreciated that at times the Australian sponsor is also unaware that a product is to be discontinued, however whenever possible the Department would appreciate as much warning as possible.
In some cases, there may be no satisfactory alternative drug. In such cases, the sponsor is encouraged to liaise with the relevant professional College or Society about appropriate transitional arrangements.