Finding ways of curbing government expenditure on the PBS while maintaining social equity and access to 'essential' medicines is at the centre of ongoing public debate. This paper outlines future developments that will extend the current model to include health outcomes. Adding health outcomes represents a path-breaking advancement in modelling the PBS and will advance...

In recent years outlays on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme have increased rapidly, prompting both attempts by government to reduce growth in outlays and renewed interest in the characteristics of the beneficiaries of the Scheme. This paper, using a microsimulation model of the PBS, analyses the distributional impact of Commonwealth Government outlays on the PBS, by...

In Social Modelling and Public Policy: What is microsimulation modelling and how is it being used? Laurie Brown and Ann Harding provide an overview of social modelling, and in particular a general introduction to and insight into the potential role and usefulness of microsimulation in analysing public policy.

This position paper, Funding High Cost Biotechnology under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, was prepared to aid discussions by stakeholders in the scheme at a forum in Sydney on 7 March 2002. The aim was to identify and assess possible mechanisms or models for funding new high cost biotechnology products and other innovative targeted therapies that...