Abstract
Australia's spending on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is growing at a rate of approximately 10-15% annually. Is this important, why is it happening, and can we learn lessons from the papers published in this issue of Australian Prescriber?
Prescribing costs are important. As total health spending in this country is capped, the extra money for drugs has to be found elsewhere. Each year we spend approximately $300 million more on drugs than we did in the previous year. This is equivalent to the annual operating costs of two moderate-sized teaching hospitals. Consequently, we have to ask if the money could be better spent elsewhere.
Prescribing costs are important. As total health spending in this country is capped, the extra money for drugs has to be found elsewhere. Each year we spend approximately $300 million more on drugs than we did in the previous year. This is equivalent to the annual operating costs of two moderate-sized teaching hospitals. Consequently, we have to ask if the money could be better spent elsewhere.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 26-27 |
| Number of pages | 2 |
| Journal | Australian Prescriber |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1997 |
| Externally published | Yes |