Mark Butler says he wants decision on MS medication made 'very quickly'
By Joshua Boscaini
Health Minister Mark Butler has stepped up for a press conference in Bendigo where he's talking all things health and urgent care clinics.
The health minister has been asked when a decision will be made or announced about medication used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS).
There are concerns thousands of Australians will be left without lifesaving medication because of a PBS stoush between drugmakers and the federal government.
Butler says he wants a decision made as soon as possible and wants the dispute resolved "very quickly".
"I've made it clear to both the companies and also to the PBS that I'm going to see this resolved very, very quickly," Butler says.
"I know the uncertainty, anxiety that that's causing many, many Australians living with MS who've got great relief from these terrific medicines."
He says the current PBS selection system, which compares new medicines to other clinically relevant medicines, is under review