National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025

Senator McALLISTER (New South Wales—Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) (12:17): In general, there are a range of cost drivers within the PBS. You are correct that there are costs associated with reducing the maximum co-payment, and they are as you've described them. Other cost drivers within the PBS are generally associated with new listings, and, as I indicated to you earlier, some of the new listings are associated with advanced therapies which, as new technologies, deliver very strong outcomes for patients but have costs attached to them.