Accessing HIV care and treatment

PBS deferrals win

Graham Stocks — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:30:11 -0800

Following discussions between the Prime Minister Julia Gillard, the Consumers Health Forum (CHF) and other industry representatives, the government has agreed that all the medicines deferred by Cabinet in February will now be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme[Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme] The federal government program which subsidises medication costs in Australia. Anti-HIV drugs are part of a special part of the PBS called Section 100 (S100) which is used for expensive, highly specialised drugs. effective from 1 December 2011.

CHF welcomes Government decision on listing of medicines

Graham Stocks — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:52:10 -0700

Following discussions between the Prime Minister, CHF Chief Executive, Carol Bennett and industry representatives, the Federal Government has agreed that all the medicines deferred by Cabinet in February will now be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme[Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme] The federal government program which subsidises medication costs in Australia. Anti-HIV drugs are part of a special part of the PBS called Section 100 (S100) which is used for expensive, highly specialised drugs. effective immediately (listed from 1 December 2011).

Medicare Ineligibles Access Study starting in October

Graham Stocks — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 21:34:04 -0700

One hundred and eighty HIV positive people who do not have access to subsidised antiretroviralA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. drugs on the PBS[Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme] The federal government program which subsidises medication costs in Australia. Anti-HIV drugs are part of a special part of the PBS called Section 100 (S100) which is used for expensive, highly specialised drugs. will soon receive free treatment over 48 months, when a long anticipated study commences recruitment in early October.

PM confronted with PBS deferrals

Graham Stocks — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 21:26:23 -0700

Federal Cabinet decided in February that it would now review all drugs recommended for listing on the PBS[Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme] The federal government program which subsidises medication costs in Australia. Anti-HIV drugs are part of a special part of the PBS called Section 100 (S100) which is used for expensive, highly specialised drugs. by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Council.

As a result, a growing number of medications that would otherwise be available to treat people in Australia are currently on hold in Canberra with no timeline for final listing.

Working with your Doctor

Graham Stocks — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:57:36 -0700

Having a doctor you can talk to and work with is really important.

If you are looking to form a new relationship or just improve the one you already have...read on.

NAPWA joins campaign against PBS deferrals decision

Graham Stocks — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:56:47 -0700

Members of the Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF), including NAPWA, have begun a campaign opposing the Federal Government’s decision to delay the listing of new medicines and vaccines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme[Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme] The federal government program which subsidises medication costs in Australia. Anti-HIV drugs are part of a special part of the PBS called Section 100 (S100) which is used for expensive, highly specialised drugs. (PBS), pending Cabinet approval.

Prolonged process for approved drugs

Graham Stocks — Wed, 25 May 2011 23:22:03 -0700

The government caused turmoil by announcing in February that all new medicines will now require cabinet approval before they can be subsidised on the PBS[Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme] The federal government program which subsidises medication costs in Australia. Anti-HIV drugs are part of a special part of the PBS called Section 100 (S100) which is used for expensive, highly specialised drugs..

Getting help

Graham Stocks — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 22:52:42 -0700

If you or a member of your family is HIV positive and you have applied for Australian residence, or considering whether to do so, it is advisable to get legal assistance. The following organisations may be able to assist or put you in touch with a migration agent or lawyer with experience in this field.

Legal advice

HIV/AIDS Legal Centre (NSW) www.halc.org.au

Appeals

Graham Stocks — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 22:50:53 -0700

If your application is rejected, you may have a right to apply for a review of the decision by the Migration Review Tribunal, or the Refugee Review Tribunal. In certain circumstances it may also be possible to seek a review by the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia and the Federal Court of Australia. You should get advice from a migration agent or lawyer.

What evidence may be useful?

Graham Stocks — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 22:31:23 -0700

If you are aware of your HIV positive status when applying for a visa, it is important toinclude as much evidence as possible with the visa application to highlight compassionate grounds for granting residency to you, and to show that granting you a permanent visa would not impose an “undue” cost on the Australian community.