$10 million for ADHD medicine on the PBS

The Liberal National Government will invest $10 million to expand access to a medicine for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Intuniv® (guanfacine) for the treatment of ADHD will be made available as an add-on therapy to other ADHD medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from March 1 this year.

Without subsidy patients would pay over $1,600 per year for this treatment. Under the PBS the price goes down to just $40.30 per script, or $6.50 for concessional patients.

This medicine helps improve attention, concentration and makes patients less impulsive and hyperactive.

ADHD affects one in twenty Australians, that’s 1.2 million people, but is frequently misunderstood and undiagnosed. 

It is a pattern of behaviour that begins in childhood, and can continue throughout the person’s lifespan.

This PBS listing was recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC).

The Committee is independent of Government by law and in practice. By law the Federal Government cannot list a new medicine without a positive recommendation from the PBAC.

Our Government continues to provide PBS listing for every medicine approved by the PBAC. 

We are now making on average one new or amended PBS listing every single day. 

Since being elected, our Government has helped Australians with new or amended approved medicines worth around $10.6 billion, which is more than 2,000 medicines.

Unlike Labor, we are subsidising all drugs recommended by the independent medical experts. Our commitment to the PBS is rock solid. Together with Medicare, it is a foundation of our world-class health care system.