DEMENTIA patients fear they will no longer have access to life-improving treatments after the Government announced it would review the cost-effectiveness of subsidising drugs for sufferers. <\/p>\n
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) announced on Monday it would review all medications available to dementia sufferers under the Government’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). <\/p>\n
The announcement followed an initial review by the committee that found “these medicines were being prescribed to a much larger population for longer periods of time than was originally agreed as cost-effective by the PBAC”. <\/p>\n
Alzheimer’s Australia says patients and their carers are worried the review may mean the drugs will no longer be discounted and will become unaffordable. <\/p>\n
“People with dementia and carers are alarmed by the announcement of this review,” Alzheimer’s Australia CEO Glenn Rees told AAP today.<\/p>\n
“That’s quite a lot for many of these people because they would have lost their incomes or they’ll be on pensions,” he said. <\/p>\n
Mr Rees said sufferers are concerned the review may be part of the Government’s cost-cutting measures. <\/p>\n
Alzheimer’s Australia president Ita Buttrose, who cared for her father who suffered from vascular dementia, said carers were particularly concerned about what the review may mean. <\/p>\n
“What those drugs do is improve the quality of life for a person with dementia,” Ms Buttrose told AAP today. <\/p>\n
“It adds another stress to the whole business of caring. They’re thinking now the drugs aren’t going to be available.” <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Continued here: Source: DEMENTIA patients fear they will no longer have access to life-improving treatments after the Government announced it would review the cost-effectiveness of subsidising drugs for sufferers. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) announced on Monday it would review all medications … Continue reading
\nDementia patients may go without drugs<\/a><\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.longevitymedicine.tv\/feed\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"