While Minister Hunt has proudly announced the listing of two medications to be added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), the fact is the Minister has refused to list these drugs for six months, making those in need wait.

Both Buvidal, a medication that is used to treat opioid dependence, and Kaponal, a type of morphine extended to assist those in palliative care, were recommended by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) in March this year.

That means that Minister Hunt has taken six months to deliver assistance to the 50,000 patients treated for opioid dependence daily, and 20,000 people per year who struggle breathing in palliative care.

Last Friday the PBAC made public their recommendations from the July meeting, which took the total number of drugs waiting to be listed by Minister Hunt to more than 60.

Analysis by Pharma in Focus shows this number includes 18 major drug submissions that the Minister hasnt listed, including Prevenar 13, which is a pneumococcal vaccine which has been waiting to be listed since 2016.

Greg Hunt needs to stop the delays on PBS listings, and start treating Australian patients with respect. Under this Government, health out of pocket costs and waiting lists are at record highs.