Restricted Perscription Medicine

Rachel Adler made this Freedom of Information request to Department of Health

This request has been closed to new correspondence from the public body. Contact us if you think it ought be re-opened.

The request was refused by Department of Health.

To the Hon. Sussan Ley,
Minister of Health MP.

Dear Madam,
I write to you under the Freedom of Information Act 1982. Why is prescription medication for long-term illnesses and pain, in particular but not limited to Controlled Drugs, not available on the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme)? What documents and reports are there in relation to this issue?

I would appreciate your providing this documentation at your earliest convenience.

Yours faithfully,
Rachel Adler.

FOI, Department of Health

Dear Ms Adler

I refer to your request for access to documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), dated 26 February 2016, regarding prescription medication for long-term illnesses and pain.

Under section 15(2)(b) of the FOI Act, a request for access to documents must ‘provide such information concerning the document as is reasonably necessary to enable a responsible officer of the agency or Minister to identify it’.

Your request for documents does not identify: (i) the type of illness or pain for which you believe prescription medicines are not available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS); or (ii) the specific prescription medicines to treat illnesses or pain that you believe are not available on the PBS.

Until such time as you provide clarification of your request, your request will be considered invalid for the purposes of the FOI Act and your request will not be processed.

Regards

Dilani

FOI & Aged Care Parliamentary Section
Ministerial, Parliamentary, Executive Support and Governance Branch | People Capability and Communication Division
Australian Government Department of Health
T: (02) 6289 1666 | E: [Health request email]
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

The Department of Health acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to elders both past and present. 

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