If the last two weeks have proven anything, it's the value of a serious political debate highlighting problems with the PBS and its institutional decision-making framework.
Some in the industry might be concerned about the reputational impact of the claimed PhRMA conspiracy to 'dismantle' the PBS. The concern is understandable, but the conspiracy claim, mostly made without objective evidence, has provided a rare and invaluable platform to highlight problems with the PBS.
It has demonstrated the value of a disruptive two-way and, at times, challenging debate about the program.
The industry's reputation may have taken some recent hits, but so have public perceptions of the PBS. The industry's reputation is a low-order consideration compared to raising the community's understanding of issues with PBS decision-making.
While political leaders have embraced the conspiracy dog whistle, mainly because it's an easy reflex response, they have also been forced to acknowledge and effectively endorse the over-arching critique of PBS decision-making.
It's not just the industry's critique. Many patients, clinicians, and our politicians have repeatedly acknowledged the issues. The current debate has given the critique a new and highly effective platform for a discussion that has been behind closed doors for too many years or limited to narrow social media campaigns.
It has arguably been the most effective fortnight in focusing public attention on the problems with PBS decision-making in living memory.
The debate has enabled the industry to run to the truth and challenge conspiracy theorists, highlighted by Lilly CEO David Ricks in his interview with ABC 7.30 Report. He delivered a highly effective articulation of the problem.
Now is not the time for change advocates, including the industry, to duck for cover or avoid the debate. Race to it because the truth is on your side.
The pushback has led to some interesting responses.
There is no better example than Health Minister Mark Butler's response to questions this morning during an interview with ABC Radio National.
In an incongruous 15 seconds, Minister Butler lashed the US-based industry while validating its criticisms of the PBS and highlighting its participation in a reform process.
"I know the US pharmaceutical industry has wanted for years to get their mitts on our PBS. Under a Labor Government, we will never, ever negotiate the design of our PBS scheme," he said.
He continued, "I think there is, and that's not particularly an issue raised by the US pharmaceutical industry, it's an issue the industry and more importantly, patient groups raised with me. It's why we put in place the first comprehensive review of our system, our assessment system for new medicines in 30 years. I've got that report. I've commissioned a group from industry and patient representatives to work on how we would implement that. As a general proposition, yes, I want to see those times reduced. It takes too long, in my view, to get medicines from being approved by our Therapeutic Goods Administration, on the one hand, to being listed on the PBS so that patients can access them at affordable Australian PBS prices. I want to see those times come down."
In other words, the government will never negotiate the design of the PBS with the US pharmaceutical industry while relying on a reform process underpinned by negotiation with the pharmaceutical industry.
