DoHA calls tender for PBS network

15.08.2006
The Australian Department of Health and Ageing is calling for tenders for the development of an online network to store documents and enable better workflow management for the listing of approved drugs via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Once developed, the Interactive Communications Facility (ICF) will become a secure portal with the ability to track managerial actions, the modification of data and transmission of information, workflow processes and support both the recommendation and pricing units within the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

The ICF project follows recommendations made by the PPBAC Review (post Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee) in July 2004.

The goal is to cut pharmaceutical approval periods from four months to one, improve processes, strengthen networking capabilities and create a "shared vision between the department and the pharmaceutical industry".

ICF development will be limited to software configuration and workflow engineering.

The new system must be able to support 4000 brand records which have at least one price and submission history record for each year on the scheme, 4000 prescribing rules and restriction records, 1000 conceptual item records, 5000 generic drugs records, 500 note and caution records and 150 manufacturers' records with a cumulative growth rate of 20 percent per annum.