EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
NATIONAL HEALTH ACT 1953
National Health (CONCESSION OR ENTITLEMENT CARD FEE) AMENDMENT Determination 2015
PB 124 of 2015
Authority
Part VII of the National Health Act 1953 (the Act) regulates the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which provides for the supply of listed drugs and medicinal preparations as pharmaceutical benefits. Eligible veterans are also entitled to Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits (RPBS), in accordance with the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986.
Subsection 84HA(1) of the Act provides that an approved pharmacist, an approved medical practitioner or an approved hospital authority who issues a safety net concession card or pharmaceutical benefits entitlement card (or an additional or replacement concession card or entitlement card) in accordance with the Act and the National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Regulations 1960 (the Regulations) is entitled to be paid a fee by the Commonwealth. Subsection 84HA(2) of the Act provides that the Minister must not determine a fee unless the Pharmacy Guild of Australia has agreed in writing to the determination.
The National Health (Concession or entitlement card fee) Determination 2012 (PB 102 of 2011) (the Principal Determination), made under subsection 84HA(1) of the National Health Act 1953 (the Act), determines the amount payable for the issuing of each safety net concession card, each pharmaceutical benefits entitlement card, and each additional or replacement card in relation to any of these cards.
Purpose
This Amendment Determination amends the current Principal Determination
(PB 102 of 2011) to replace the amount of $9.47 with $9.61 taking effect from 1 January 2016. This reflects the annual adjustment to the fee payable to an approved pharmacist, an approved medical practitioner or an approved hospital authority for issuing a safety net concession card or pharmaceutical benefits entitlement card (or an additional or replacement concession card or entitlement card).
Background
This fee is indexed on 1 January of each year by the ratio of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the September quarter for each of the two previous years. The 2015 fee of $9.47 will rise by 14 cents to $9.61 with effect from 1 January 2016.
This fee is only payable if the card has been issued:
- by an approved supplier, that is an approved pharmacist, an approved medical practitioner or an approved hospital authority within the meaning of subsection 84(1) of the Act; and
- in accordance with the provisions of Division 1A of Part VII of the Act, and the matters prescribed in Parts IIAA and IIA of the Regulations.
Division 1A of Part VII of the Act provides for a safety net scheme in relation to pharmaceutical benefits and repatriation pharmaceutical benefits (as defined in subsection 84(1) of the Act). The safety net scheme is designed to provide financial protection for those patients and their families who require a large number of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) or Repatriation Pharmaceutical Scheme (RPBS) medicines.
At the person’s request, a pharmacist records the supply of PBS and RPBS medicines to that person and the cost of the supply. When a person reaches a certain spending level on PBS or RPBS medicines (the safety net threshold), that person may be eligible for a safety net concession card or a pharmaceutical benefits entitlement card in respect of a relevant entitlement period. The issuing of such a card to a person enables that person to receive PBS or RPBS medicines at a reduced rate or free of charge for the remainder of the relevant entitlement period. The relevant entitlement period for the safety net scheme is a calendar year, that is, from 1 January to 31 December.
Consultation
The Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement has no provisions relating to determining the fee for issuing these cards.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has been consulted on this matter as required under subsection 84HA(2) of the Act, and has agreed in writing, to the amendment made by this Determination.
This Determination will commence on 1 January 2016.
This Determination is a legislative instrument for the purpose of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.
Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights
Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011
National Health (Concession or entitlement card fee) Amendment Determination 2015 (No. 1) (PB 124 of 2015)
This Legislative Instrument is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.
Overview of the Legislative Instrument
This Amendment Determination amends the National Health (Concession or entitlement card fee) Determination 2012 (PB 102 of 2011) (Principal Determination) to replace the amount of $9.47 with $9.61 taking effect from 1 January 2016. This reflects the annual adjustment to the fee payable to an approved pharmacist, an approved medical practitioner or an approved hospital authority for issuing a safety net concession card or pharmaceutical benefits entitlement card (or an additional or replacement concession card or entitlement card). While the amount of the fee has changed, the provision is unchanged.
Human rights implications
This legislative instrument engages Articles 2 and 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) by assisting with the progressive realisation by all appropriate means of the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
The PBS is a benefit scheme which assists with advancement of this human right by providing for subsidised access by patients to medicines.
Conclusion
This Legislative Instrument is compatible with human rights because it advances the protection of human rights.
Julianne Quaine
Assistant Secretary
Pharmaceutical Access Branch
Pharmaceutical Benefits Division
Department of Health