Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee (PBAC): Members Re-appointment

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

An accurate record of “Ministerial Decisions” is vital to effective governance, including:

demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision
providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

Ministers are individually accountable to the States Assembly, including for the actions of the departments and agencies which discharge their responsibilities.

The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made 19 March 2014:

Decision Reference: MD-S-2014-0031
Decision Summary Title :	DS_Reconstitution of the Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory committee 2014		Date of Decision Summary:	17 March 2014
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 2014		Date of Written Report:	17 March 2014
Written Report Author:	Business Manager		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Re-appointment of members - Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee (PBAC)
Decision(s): The Minister approved the re-appointment of existing members of the PBAC until 11 April 2015.
Reason(s) for Decision: The Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee (PBAC) is a Statutory Body within the Health Insurance legislation. 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. 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. However, prior to taking decisions, the Minister must consult with the PBAC. Under the Health Insurance (Jersey) Law, 1967, the PBAC was formed to review medicines and to advise the Minister as to what products/medicines should be added or removed from the Prescribed List (Jersey). 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.
Resource Implications: There are no additional resource implications.
Action required: Policy Principal to notify the States Greffe that the existing PBAC members have been re-appointed until 11 April 2015. Policy Principal to notify the proposed Committee members that their re-appointment is approved.
Signature:		Position: Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee (PBAC): Members Re-appointment

Re-appoinment of members of the Pharmaceutical benefit Advisory Committee

2014

1. SUMMARY

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. 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 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 and is viewed in light of the overall benefit of the therapy.

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.

3. RECOMMENDATION

The Minister is asked to re-appoint the following members of the PBAC for one year until 11 April 2014 as follows:

Chair Alison Creed

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 J Williams Director of Contributions, Enforcement and Contributory Benefits Social Security

Mr P McManus Pharmaceutical Adviser

NB. The Medical Officer of Health and the Chief Pharmacist are ex officio members of the PBAC.