21 Nov 2012

Private hospital chemo services could be cut

5:45 am on 21 November 2012

The Australian Public Hospital Association says a decision to cut federal government funding for chemotherapy drugs could limit services in private hospitals in Australia.

The association said the cost of providing treatment to cancer patients could rise by $A100 per infusion after a decision to cut funding under a pharmaceutical benefits scheme for docetaxel by 70%.

The drug is used to treat breast, ovarian, prostate and lung cancer. AAP reports that cuts to the PBS would save the federal government about $A40 million per year.

The Australian reports the association said the move could force patients to seek treatment in the public system if private treatment facilities were forced to scale back.