The potential for tobacco control to reduce PBS costs for smoking-related cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Objective: To estimate Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidies for drugs to treat smoking-related cardiovascular disease (CVD) in 2001-02, and over the period of the government's Intergenerational Report (IGR), assuming current smoking prevalence rates and a 5% absolute reduction. Design and setting: An Australian epidemiological study, using prescribing data, aetiological fraction methodology, and IGR trends. Main outcome measures: Estimated smoking-related PBS subsidy costs in 2001-02 and predicted cumulative subsidies until 2041-42, under current and reduced smoking prevalence assumptions. Results: The PBS costs of smoking-related CVD in 2001-02 were $126 million, 9.77% of the ..