Australia

Abstract

At a national level, the Australian Government has two main HTA committees that make recommendations to the health minister/government for public funding of health interventions. These are the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) for medications and vaccines and Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) for medical services, diagnostics, and devices. Both have at least one patient representative (sometimes two) on their expert committees and provide opportunities for public and patient input, either as individuals or as organized support groups. Consultation takes place at different stages of the HTA process. PBAC has an input process at appraisal stage, whereas for medical services input is sought at the protocol or scoping stage with specific questions to address. While other HTA activities occur outside these processes—including at a state, hospital, and private health insurance level—in this chapter we focus on review and reform in patient involvement centered primarily on these two programs.