28 May Review of the Life Savings Drug Program Medicines
The Life Savings Drug Program (LSDP) was established in the mid-1990s to provide people with rare and life-threatening diseases access to expensive medicines that were not considered to be cost-effective for Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listing.
The purpose of the Review of the LSDP (i.e. nine disease-based reviews undertaken in three tranches) is to develop a better understanding of the real-world use of a medicine by comparing the current use performance of the medicine against the recommendations and expectations at the time of listing. The review will assess the clinical benefits achieved through the use of LSDP medicines, ensure the ongoing viability of the program; and ensure testing and access requirements for the medicine remain appropriate.
HealthConsult has designed the Review Protocols (available for download http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/lsdp-expert-panel) for each disease which describes the methodology that will be used to address each Term of Reference (ToR). In addition, HealthConsult has designed both primary data collection and secondary data request specifications, are undertaking a series of systematic reviews, reviewing national and international guidelines, facilitating stakeholder forums and stakeholder consultation (through interview, focus group and survey) and analysing program level and national data sets. The final Review Reports will inform the future of the LSDP.