What impact have the PBS reforms had on Nycomed?
As most mid size Pharma companies that operate in a setting of mass market prescription medicines, Nycomed is also experiencing the real impact of the PBS measures that have been implemented in recent years. The PBS reforms introduced in 2007 are complicated and based on a set of rules that need further clarification and refinement to be effective and not damaging the interest of the public at large and that of an already highly (self-) regulated Pharma industry. It is my view that the full value impact of the PBS Reform for the healthcare sector has not been objectively assessed: value expressed both in monetary terms as well as in terms of innovation. The Reform rules stretch well into the future where the real impact will only become visible and most likely need considerable adjustments. Under the new rules products are categorised based on patent status, discounting practise and interchange-ability. The Reform rules applicable for the Nycomed products are a result of a series of di
