Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC)

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) is an independent group that evaluates new medications for use in public healthcare. They assess the clinical effectiveness and cost-efficiency of drugs to decide whether they should be subsidized under national health programs, such as the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in Australia. Their goal is to ensure patients have access to effective treatments while managing healthcare costs responsibly. PBAC considers evidence from clinical trials, safety data, and economic factors before making recommendations to government authorities on drug listings.