appoinment of members of the Pharmaceutical benefit Advisory Committee
2015
1. PURPOSE
The Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee (PBAC) is a Statutory Body within the Health Insurance legislation. The chairman and other appointed members of the Advisory Committee hold office for a period of 12 months ending on the twelfth day of April and are eligible for re-appointment. This report sets out the reconstitution and membership of the PBAC.
2. BACKGROUND
Under the Health Insurance (Jersey) Law, 1967, the Social Security Minister is responsible for the inclusion or deletion of products from the Prescribed List of pharmaceutical preparations. However, prior to taking decisions, the Minister must consult with the PBAC.
The Prescribed List details all medicines, drugs, appliances or materials that are subsidised under the Health Insurance Scheme, for use by general practitioners for the treatment of patients.
Before recommending the addition (or deletion) of a drug, the PBAC considers whether the product is one appropriate for use in mainstream general practice, using a number of evaluation criteria.
* the effectiveness of the drug
* the safety profile of the product
* the range of similar drugs already available
* relevant prescribing protocols (e.g. NICE guidelines)
* prescribing data available from the hospital
* other routes of supply
Cost to the Health Insurance Fund is also considered, but secondary to the proven value of the drug.
The constitution of the PBAC is such as to ensure that a wide aspect of professional views is considered under a lay chair. The Chair, the representative of the Social Security Department and the Pharmaceutical Adviser are appointed by the Minister. The Chief Pharmacist and Medical Officer of Health are statutory positions. General practitioners and community pharmacists elect three and two representatives respectively.
3. RECOMMENDATION
The Minister is asked to appoint the following members of the PBAC for one year until 11 April 2016 as follows:
Chair Alison Creed
Approved Medical practitioners
Dr C Budd
Dr D Balbes
Dr A Vincent
Approved Pharmacists
Mr G Jones
Mr M Atkinson
Representatives of the Social Security Department
Ms S Sugden Policy Principal Social Security
Mr P McManus Pharmaceutical Adviser
NB. The Medical Officer of Health and the Chief Pharmacist are ex officio members of the PBAC.