Fed: AMA criticises govt drug proposal
CANBERRA, April 10 AAP - The Australian Medical Association (AMA) today criticiseda plan to reward doctors who prescribe fewer and cheaper drugs, saying it would destroythe doctor-patient relationship.
In an effort to stem a blowout in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the federal governmentwill reportedly trial a program which will see it give back half the money it saves fromthe program to GP divisions.
The pilot program is reported to involve three of the most commonly prescribed typesof drugs - antibiotics, cardiovascular drugs and peptic ulcer drugs.
However the peak doctors' lobby group has condemned the use of financial incentives as perverse.
David Rivett, chairman of the AMA's Council of General Practice, said patients wantedto know doctors were acting in their interest rather than in the doctor's financial interest.
"I think if this is to become established as a fact of life in Australia it will destroythe doctor-patient relationship," Dr Rivett told ABC radio.
The Australian Public Health Association (APHA) wants a review of prescription protocols.
"There certainly seems to (be) considerable budgets spent by pharmaceutical companieson promotions to general practitioners particularly in order to persuade or encouragethem to prescribe particular drugs," APHA vice-president Helen Kelleher told ABC radio.
"We feel the training and education of general practitioners in relation to prescribingneeds to be free of those industry pressures."
AAP so/daw/ph/bwl
KEYWORD: DRUGS
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