Self-funded treatment challenges for patients in Australia highlighted at NMS 2014

May 23 2014

The challenges for patients in Australia who are self-funding their own treatment and medication have been highlighted today at the National Medicines Symposium (NMS 2014).

Dr Jennie Louise from the University of Adelaide addressed delegates on the ethical issues associated with patient self-funding of high-cost medications.

“Self-funding of higher-cost medicines is becoming more common in Australia, however limited formal policy debate or public discussion is occurring around the issue,” she said.

“Even when there is no funding or support available to reduce the cost of medicines, there is evidence that patients want to be told about all the treatment options, even if they can’t afford them.

“In the future, I predict greater pressure by patient groups to fund non cost-effective medicines.

“However, the establishment of a new market for self-funded medicines may undermine the bargaining power of government.

Dr Louise says that over time this will further increase the costs of healthcare – for example by increased consultation times and administration, monitoring treatment of side effects and other related secondary care that is required for people on high-cost treatment.

“This issue will only continue to escalate, and we need more public awareness alongside firm debate on how to address self-funded treatment,” she says.