The College has been advised that the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has not recommended making amendments to the existing Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listings of antipsychotic medications.  

PBAC was considering whether amendments to PBS listings of antipsychotic medications were appropriate in light of Recommendation 65 of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s Final Report.

The decision not to proceed with amendments followed a consultation process where ACRRM made a strong submission, opposing any further restrictions and outlining the potential implications for the provision of quality care to residents in aged care facilities in rural and remote areas. The College also wrote to the relevant Federal Ministers to express our concerns. 

Thank you to the many members who contacted the College and provided feedback to inform our submission. 

The PBAC will continue to monitor the use of antipsychotics in aged care. Further information about the November 2021 meeting outcomes is now available here.