Equity-centred analysis of Australian’s Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee (PBAC) vaccine funding recommendations: a critical review of public summary documents

Project Details

In Australia, funding recommendations for new medications and vaccines are made through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) based on evidence including value for money. Current HTA processes do not require quantifying equity impacts of new technologies, despite equity being a stated priority within the National Preventive Health Strategy 2021-2030 and Closing the Gap. The absence of a systematic approach to consider equity can lead to decisions with potential to widen disparities in healthcare access and outcomes.

This study is a review of current recommendations of the PBAC published in the form of Public Summary Documents (PSD) to determine if equity-informative methods have been used, which equity-relevant dimensions are considered, and which stakeholder is interested in bringing up equity concerns. Current Australian PBAC guidelines consider equity a “less readily quantifiable factor” to be included within economic evaluations only if relevant (PBAC guidelines v.5, 2016). Findings of the PSD review will highlight the strength and the gaps in the current practices when it comes to equity relevant evidence.

Project Duration

2023–2024

Researchers

• Marie-Anne Boujaoude (Project Lead)
• A/Prof Natalie Carvalho
• Prof Kim Dalziel
• Prof Nancy Devlin
• Mr Mackenzie Bourke