Pharmaceutical Benefits Remuneration Tribunal

The main functions of the Tribunal are to make a determination to give effect to the terms of agreement between the Government and the Pharmacy Guild in relation to the remuneration that is to be paid to pharmacists for dispensing (supplying) pharmaceutical benefits under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS); and to perform other functions required by that agreement (currently the Eighth Community Pharmacy Agreement (8CPA)). If there is no agreement in place, however, the Tribunal is responsible for determining the manner in which the Commonwealth price for the payment to approved pharmacists for the supply of pharmaceutical benefits is set and the amount of Additional Community Supply Support (ACSS) payments payable for eligible supplies of pharmaceutical benefits by approved pharmacists. The Chairperson is appointed by the Governor-General, and four additional members are appointed by the Minister for Health for a period not exceeding three years on a part-time basis. At least one additional member must be a person who has been, but is no longer, engaged either directly or indirectly in community pharmacy. The Minister for Health makes this appointment following consultation with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.