Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Medicines Review Panel

The 2011/12 Budget measure 'Improving sustainability of the PBS through enhanced post-market surveillance' aims to establish a structured approach to undertaking ongoing reviews to monitor medicines in use in clinical practice.These post-market reviews are designed to improve patient safety and Quality Use of Medicines and support the cost- effective use of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme listed medicines.The review program was established to provide advice to Government and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee to improve the Quality Use of Medicines and to inform decisions about the listings of medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.Post-market reviews may be initiated at any time by the Department, but it is anticipated that the main drivers for a review will be recommendations by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee and/or the National Medicines Policy framework, international and local comparisons or reports and/or findings by the Drug Utilisation Sub-Committee.

The tasks to be conducted for specific reviews will be determined for each individual review and may include one or more of the following:

•Literature reviews and analysis;

•Data analysis and utilisation reviews;

•Economic analysis and review;

•Report writing and editing; and

•Support for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee or Drug Utilisation Sub-Committee.

It is possible that certain reviews may require the engagement of more than one provider, each undertaking a specific part of the review.

Tenderers may submit proposals for any or all of the above categories of work.