Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee

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A decision made 25 February 2011.

Decision Reference: MD-S-2011-0012
Decision Summary Title :	DS - Reconstitution of the Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee		Date of Decision Summary:	21 February 2011
Decision Summary Author:	Policy Principal		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	WR - Reconstitution of the Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee		Date of Written Report:	21 February 2011
Written Report Author:	Policy Principal		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Reconstitution of the Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee (PBAC)
Decision(s): The Minister approved the reconstitution of the PBAC until 12th April 2012.
Reason(s) for Decision: The Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee (PBAC) is a Statutory Body within the Health Insurance legislation whose membership is reconstituted each year. Under the Health Insurance (Jersey) Law, 1967, the Social Security Minister is responsible for the inclusion or deletion of products from the Approved 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. Under the Health Insurance (Jersey) Law, 1967, the PBAC was formed to review new medicines and to advise the Minister as to what products/medicines should be added or removed from the Prescribed List (Jersey).
Resource Implications: There are no additional resource implications.
Action required: Policy Principal to notify the States Greffe that the PBAC is reconstituted until 12 April 2012 as per the attached schedule. Policy Principal to notify the proposed Committee members that their appointment is approved.
Signature:		Position: Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee - Reconstitution of

Reconstitution of the Pharmaceutical benefit Advisory Committee

1. SUMMARY

The Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee (PBAC) is a Statutory Body within the Health Insurance legislation whose membership is reconstituted each year. Under the Health Insurance (Jersey) Law, 1967, the Social Security Minister is responsible for the inclusion or deletion of products from the Approved List of Pharmaceutical preparations. However, prior to taking decisions, the Minister must consult with the PBAC.

2. BACKGROUND

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.

* efficacy (the effectiveness of the drug)

* the safety profile of the product

* the range of similar drugs already available

* relevant prescribing algorithms/protocols (e.g. NICE guidelines)

* prescribing data available from the hospital

* other routes of supply

Cost is also considered, but secondary to the proven value of the drug and is viewed in light of the overall benefit of therapy. The best therapy may be more expensive through primary care, but reduce overall costs by cutting down on hospital treatment or medical complications at a later stage. However, the PBAC is always mindful as to whether the ongoing cost is sustainable by the Health Fund.

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. The general practitioners and community pharmacists elect three and two representatives respectively.

The Chairman, appointed by the Minister, is a lay person appointed to represent the views of the informed general public. Following the retirement of the previous Chair, a public invitation to apply for the post of Chair was advertised in Gazette. Following a selection process overseen by the Appointments Commission, Mr Tim Rogers, who has managerial and committee experience and has worked in the public and private sectors, was chosen to fill the position.

3. RECONSTITUTION

The Minister is asked to reconstitute the PBAC for one year until 12 April 2012 as follows:

Mr T. Rogers Chair

Dr S Turnbull Acting Medical Officer of Health

Mr P McCabe Chief Pharmacist, Health and Social Services

Approved Medical practitioners

Dr C Budd

Dr D Balbes

Dr A Vincent

Approved Pharmacists

Mr G Jones

Mr B Eden

Representatives of the Social Security Department

Mr Jim Scott Finance & Governance Director

Mr P McManus Pharmaceutical Adviser

Secretary to the Committee

Miss R Goulding Policy Principal