A major issue for the Pharmacy Industry is the Government's continual insistence that the growth within the PBS is continually outperforming natural economic growth.  Peter Costello has been quoted several times stating that NHS growth and spending is unsustainable and has made it his mission to curb PBS spending.  Tony Abbott appears to have adopted the same position.

Kos Sclavos' presentation addressed the Government's view that the PBS is not sustainable.  He presented previously unavailable data that supports the fact that the PBS is more stable than it has ever been and may be in decline.  It seems that Government data often overstates PBS growth by including the consumer price index within their calculations.  In fact; the data that Kos provided concisely illustrated that the PBS is in actual decline.

Kos's passion for the Industry and the state of the Australian Healthcare System was ever present throughout his speech.  His underlying point being that his objective is to create an understanding between the Pharmacy and Government, to ensure the inherent value of community pharmacy and the overall values of the Australian Healthcare system are aligned.  Kos's data emphasised that never has there been such a time to not introduce a reform.

For further information regarding the event, including a copy of the presentation, please contact Medici Capital.