84AGTherapeutic groups

#### 84AG Therapeutic groups Determinations (1) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, determine: (a) one or more therapeutic groups; and (b) that 2 or more listed drugs are in the same therapeutic group. (1A) If the Minister proposes to make a determination under paragraph (1)(a), the Minister must obtain the advice in writing of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee in relation to the proposed determination. (2) A determination for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b) may specify the circumstances in which a listed drug is, or is not, in a therapeutic group. (3) In making a determination for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), the Minister may have regard to advice (if any) given (whether before or after the commencement of this section) to the Minister by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee to the effect that a drug or medicinal preparation should, or should not, be treated as interchangeable on an individual patient basis with another drug or medicinal preparation. (4) If: (a) either: (i) section 99ADH has applied to a brand of a pharmaceutical item; or (ii) the price of the brand of the pharmaceutical item is reduced under 99ADHB; and (b) the Minister has determined, under paragraph (1)(b), that the drug in the pharmaceutical item is in a therapeutic group; the Minister must, by legislative instrument, vary the determination to remove the drug from that group with effect on the day that section 99ADH applied to the brand of the pharmaceutical item or the price of the brand of the pharmaceutical item was reduced under section 99ADHB. (5) Without limiting the powers of the Minister under subsection (1), the Minister may, by legislative instrument, vary a determination to remove a drug from a therapeutic group that contains only 2 drugs. In that case, the group will contain only that remaining drug. Regulations (6) On the day on which this section commences, the regulations may prescribe one or more therapeutic groups.