National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) submission to the Senate Inquiry-Community Affairs References Committee: Inquiry into the effectiveness of the special arrangements for the supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines to Remote Area Aboriginal Health Services (RAAHSs)

[Extract]1.0 Introduction \ud Special arrangements exist for the supply of pharmaceutical benefits to clients of eligible Remote Area Aboriginal Health Services (RAAHS), primarily due to Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders having by far the worst health outcomes and the clearest inequity in health care provision of any identifiable group in the Australian population. These special arrangements for access to Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines ג€“ based on Section 100 of the National Health Act (1953) ג€“ aim to alleviate these disadvantages, and assist in 'Closing the Gap' (CTG) between Aboriginal and other Australians