Contents

Part I--Preliminary                                                                                                                 1

1............ Short title [see Note 1] ....................................................................... 1

2............ Commencement [see Note 1] .............................................................. 1

4............ Interpretation ...................................................................................... 1

4AA...... Recognised days of absence of qualified nursing home patients etc. .. 8

6............ Delegation ......................................................................................... 11

6A......... External Territories ........................................................................... 12

7A......... Application of the Criminal Code .................................................... 12

Part II--National health services                                                                                 13

8............ Interpretation .................................................................................... 13

9............ Provision of certain medical and dental services ............................... 13

9A......... Provision of medical and surgical aids and appliances etc. by the Commonwealth 13

9B......... Provision of vaccines ........................................................................ 14

9BA...... The National HPV Vaccination Program Register ............................ 15

9C......... Arrangements with States for provision of surgical aids and appliances etc.           18

10.......... Arrangements with other Ministers ................................................. 18

11.......... Arrangements with States ................................................................. 19

Part V--Approved nursing homes                                                                                20

39.......... Interpretation .................................................................................... 20

40AA.... Government nursing homes .............................................................. 23

40AB Approval of admission to approved nursing home .............................. 30

40AC.... Declaration that patient not in need of nursing home care ............... 32

40AE..... Request for review of decisions ........................................................ 33

40AEA.. Request for review may be withdrawn ............................................. 35

40AEB.. Refund of lodgment fee ..................................................................... 35

40AEC.. Referral of request to Nursing Homes Fees Review Committee of Inquiry             36

40AED.. Examination of matter by Committee ............................................... 37

40AEE.. Committee Processing Fee ................................................................ 37

40AEF.. Ministerial review of decisions ......................................................... 38

40AEG.. Refund of Committee processing fee etc. ......................................... 38

40AEH.. Effect of change of proprietor on request for review ....................... 39

40AF..... Patients requiring extensive care ....................................................... 40

40AFK.. Proprietor to be given notice of classification of classified patient admitted to nursing home                 42

40AG.... Standard fee for non‑classified patients ............................................ 42

40AGA. Standard fee for classified patients ................................................... 45

40AH.... Standard infrastructure allowance and special infrastructure allowance   47

40AI...... Additional patient contribution ........................................................ 47

41.......... Certificate of approval ...................................................................... 47

42.......... Inspection of, and of records of, approved nursing homes .............. 48

43.......... Certain person to give notice on death of proprietor ....................... 49

43A....... Furnishing of audited accounts by proprietors of certain approved nursing homes                49

44.......... Variation or revocation of approval .................................................. 50

45.......... Automatic revocation of approval as nursing home for disabled people 51

45A....... Revocation or extension of suspension ............................................ 51

45B....... Effect of suspension of approval of nursing home ........................... 52

45D....... Standards for nursing home care ....................................................... 52

45DA.... Statements may be published about satisfaction of standards for nursing home care              52

45DB.... General information about approved nursing homes may be made available to the public      53

45DC.... Information about Ministerial action and other information about approved nursing homes may be made available to the public .......................................................................................... 54

Part VA--Commonwealth benefits in respect of nursing home care        57

Division 1--Preliminary                                                                                             57

46.......... Interpretation .................................................................................... 57

46A....... Approved nursing home patients ..................................................... 58

46AB.... Benefit payable for up to 2 days prior to admission ....................... 58

46B....... Meaning of overpayment ................................................................. 59

46C....... Secretary to determine accounting period in respect of certain approved nursing homes        59

46D....... Setting of notional fees ..................................................................... 61

46E........ Secretary may pay or recover advances of general care benefit before notional scale of fees is set         62

Division 2--Types of benefit payable                                                                  64

47.......... Basic benefit for Government nursing homes and nursing homes for disabled people             64

47A....... Benefits for patients in other approved nursing homes ................... 65

48A....... Benefit for nursing home care in transferred homes and adjusted fee government nursing homes           66

48AB.... When general care benefit becomes payable ..................................... 68

48B....... Top‑up benefit ................................................................................. 68

48C....... Isolated nursing home benefit ........................................................... 69

48D....... Benefit in respect of patients receiving nasogastric feeding ............. 70

48E........ Benefit in respect of patients receiving oxygen ................................ 70

49.......... Extensive care benefit ....................................................................... 71

49AA.... Respite Care ..................................................................................... 72

Division 3--Miscellaneous                                                                                       73

49A....... Commonwealth benefit not payable if approval of nursing home suspended          73

49B....... Payment of Commonwealth benefit to patient ................................ 73

50.......... Payment of Commonwealth benefit and nursing home fund benefit in respect of same patient for same period    74

51.......... Claims for benefit ............................................................................. 74

51A....... Advances of benefit .......................................................................... 75

51B....... Treatment of money overpaid or underpaid by way of an advance . 75

51C....... Recovery of overpayments .............................................................. 75

Part VAB--Commonwealth benefit in respect of newly built nursing homes            77

Division 1--Preliminary                                                                                             77

52.......... Interpretation .................................................................................... 77

Division 2--Approval‑in‑principle of an approval of a grant in respect of a newly built nursing home                                                                                                                       78

52D....... Minister may revoke an AIP at any time before an approval of grant is given        78

Division 3--Approval of grant of Commonwealth benefit in respect of a newly built nursing home      79

53.......... Application for Commonwealth benefit ........................................... 79

54.......... Principles applicable for grant of Commonwealth benefit ............... 79

55.......... Approval of grant ............................................................................. 80

56.......... Entitlement to benefit ....................................................................... 80

57.......... Appropriation .................................................................................. 81

Part VAC--Commonwealth benefit in respect of upgraded nursing homes               82

Division 1--Preliminary                                                                                             82

58.......... Interpretation .................................................................................... 82

58A....... Principles applicable to determining eligible nursing homes ............. 82

Division 2--Approval‑in‑principle of a grant in respect of an upgraded nursing home                 83

58CB..... Minister may revoke an approval‑in‑principle at any time before an approval of grant is given            83

Division 3--Approval of grant of Commonwealth benefit in respect of upgraded nursing homes           84

58CC..... Application for Commonwealth benefit ........................................... 84

58CD.... Principles applicable for grant of Commonwealth benefit ............... 84

58CE..... Approval of grant ............................................................................. 84

58CF..... Entitlement to benefit ....................................................................... 85

58CG.... Appropriation .................................................................................. 86

Part VC--Administration of Parts V, VA, VAB and VD                                 87

58K....... Interpretation .................................................................................... 87

59.......... Commonwealth benefit not payable where compensation etc. is payable to patient              87

60B....... Information to be furnished by proprietor of approved nursing home 89

61.......... Records to be kept by proprietors of approved nursing homes ...... 89

61AA.... Records to be kept by former proprietors for 12 months ................ 91

61A....... Books and records to be kept at nominated place ............................ 91

61B....... Power to require persons to answer questions and produce documents 92

61C....... Power to examine on oath etc. .......................................................... 93

61D....... Entry on premises and inspection of books etc. .............................. 93

61E........ Offences ............................................................................................ 94

62.......... Offences ............................................................................................ 94

Part VD--Requirements in respect of sale of approved nursing homes 96

Division 1--Preliminary                                                                                             96

63.......... Object of Part ................................................................................... 96

64.......... Application and operation of Part .................................................... 96

65.......... Interpretation .................................................................................... 98

Division 2--Requirements on sale of approved nursing home           103

65A....... Vendor must give notice of sale of an approved nursing home ...... 103

65B....... Purchaser to give notice of prospective purchase of approved nursing home          104

65C....... Investigation of accounts etc. of approved nursing homes ............. 105

65D....... Secretary may also determine certain matters ................................ 106

65E........ Parties to a contract of sale to be informed of results of investigation etc.              106

65F........ Proprietor gives less than 90 days notice on settlement of contract of sale or settles in less than 90 days             107

65G....... If no notice of sale given or vendor sells before notified date ......... 109

65GAA. Effect on investigation periods of commencement of the Aged Care Act 1997        111

Division 2A--Nursing home charge                                                                  112

Subdivision 1--Assessment                                                                                   112

65GA.... Notice of fee‑reducing benefit ......................................................... 112

65GB.... Liability to pay nursing home charge ............................................. 112

65GC.... Amount of nursing home charge ..................................................... 112

65GD.... Notice of liability to pay nursing home charge ............................... 113

65GE..... Assessment ..................................................................................... 113

65GF..... Amendment of assessments ........................................................... 113

65GG.... Refund of overpaid amounts .......................................................... 114

65GH.... Amended assessment to be an assessment ..................................... 114

65GI...... Objections ....................................................................................... 115

65GJ..... Validity of assessment .................................................................... 115

65GK.... Evidentiary effect of notice of assessment etc. .............................. 115

Subdivision 2--Collection and recovery                                                              116

65GL..... Secretary may extend time for payment ......................................... 116

65GM... Penalty for late payment ................................................................ 116

65GN.... Recovery of unpaid nursing home charge ....................................... 117

65GO.... Recovery of nursing home charge from persons with joint liability 117

65GP..... Recovery of nursing home charge from trustee of deceased chargepayer                 117

65GQ.... Recovery of nursing home charge from unadministered deceased estate 118

Subdivision 3--Advance payments                                                                        119

65GR.... Overview of Subdivision ................................................................ 119

65GS..... If paragraph 65C(1)(c) investigation done--direction to purchaser to pay amount to the Commonwealth            120

65GT.... If paragraph 65F(1)(c) investigation has been ordered--vendor's and purchaser's liability to pay advance          120

65GU.... Treatment of money paid in advance under section 65GT ............ 122

65GV.... Directions to be in writing .............................................................. 122

65GW... Scale of fees may take account of unpaid nursing home charge ...... 123

Division 3--Payment of certain moneys to the Commonwealth         124

65H....... If paragraphs 65C(1)(c) and (d) investigations done--direction to purchaser to pay amount to the Commonwealth ........................................................................................................ 124

65J........ If amount determined under paragraph 65F(1)(e)--direction to purchaser to pay amount to the Commonwealth ........................................................................................................ 126

65K....... Certain moneys to be paid by proprietor of nursing home to the Commonwealth on or before sale of nursing home ........................................................................................................ 127

65L........ Money paid in settlement of an overpayment outstanding--how to deal with it   129

65M...... Treatment of amount paid in respect of overpayment outstanding to which subsection 65K(2) applies               129

65N....... Treatment of amount paid in respect of overpayment outstanding to which subsection 65K(3) applies               130

65P........ Treatment of amount paid in respect of overpayment outstanding to which subsection 65K(4) applies               131

65Q....... Treatment of amount paid in respect of overpayment outstanding to which subsection 65K(5) applies               132

65R....... Treatment of amount paid in respect of overpayment outstanding to which subsection 65K(6) applies--Step 1: first investigation amount ....................................................................... 133

65S........ Treatment of amount paid in respect of overpayment outstanding to which subsection 65K(6) applies--Step 2: second investigation amount ........................................................... 133

Division 4--Miscellaneous                                                                                     137

65SA..... Interest payable on repayments to vendors made under Division 3 137

65SB..... Interest payable on repayments to vendors made under Division 2A 137

65T....... Time when principles take effect ................................................... 138

65U....... Parties to a contract of sale to be informed of certain matters after sale 138

Part VII--Pharmaceutical benefits                                                                            140

Division 1--Preliminary                                                                                           140

83Z....... Repeal and saving ........................................................................... 140

84.......... Interpretation .................................................................................. 141

84AAA. Early supply of a specified pharmaceutical benefit ....................... 152

84AA.... Concessional benefit prescriptions, concession card prescriptions and entitlement card prescriptions 153

84A....... Participating dental practitioners .................................................... 154

84AAB. Authorised optometrists ................................................................ 154

84AAC. Secretary may suspend or revoke approval ................................... 155

84AAD. Review of decisions ........................................................................ 156

84AB.... Pharmaceutical items ...................................................................... 157

84ABA. References to pharmaceutical items or combination items having a drug                 157

84AC.... When listed drug is on F1 or F2 ..................................................... 158

84AD.... When listed drug is in Part A or Part T of F2 ................................ 158

84AE..... Co‑marketed brands ........................................................................ 159

84AF..... Responsible person for a brand of a pharmaceutical item .............. 161

84AG.... Therapeutic groups ......................................................................... 161

84AH.... Exempt items .................................................................................. 162

84AI...... Rounding amounts .......................................................................... 163

84AJ..... When pharmaceutical benefits are Schedule equivalent .................. 163

Division 1A--Safety net concession cards and pharmaceutical benefits entitlement cards        164

84B....... Family relationships ....................................................................... 164

84BA.... Supplies of out‑patient medication ................................................ 165

84C....... Eligibility for concession and entitlement cards ............................. 166

84CA.... Modification of amounts paid ........................................................ 171

84D....... Pharmaceutical benefits prescription record forms etc. .................. 171

84DA.... Issue of safety net concession card ................................................ 174

84E........ Issue of pharmaceutical benefits entitlement card .......................... 175

84F........ Form of cards .................................................................................. 177

84G....... Persons covered by card ................................................................. 177

84H....... Additional and replacement cards ................................................... 178

84HA.... Fee to approved pharmacist etc. for issuing card ........................... 178

84J........ Period of effect of card ................................................................... 179

84K....... Return of card ................................................................................. 179

84L........ Offences .......................................................................................... 179

Division 2--Supply of pharmaceutical benefits                                            181

85.......... Pharmaceutical benefits .................................................................. 181

85A....... Determinations of forms of pharmaceutical benefits or pharmaceutical items with respect to classes of persons 182

85AB.... Minister may determine that a listed drug is on F1 or F2 .............. 183

85AC.... Minister may determine that a listed drug is in Part A or Part T of F2   184

85AD.... Price agreements ............................................................................. 185

85B....... Price determinations and special patient contributions .................. 185

86.......... Entitlement to receive pharmaceutical benefits .............................. 187

86A....... Pharmaceutical benefits not to be supplied in respect of persons reasonably believed not to be in Australia        188

86B....... Approved supplier may request provision of medicare number .... 188

86C....... On and after 1 January 2001 approved supplier must request provision of medicare number in certain circumstances ........................................................................................................ 191

86D....... Power of approved suppliers to record and retain medicare numbers and expiry dates          195

86E........ Minister may determine certain persons to be special evidentiary categories          198

87.......... Limited charges for pharmaceutical benefits ................................... 199

87A....... Entitlement to refund in certain circumstances ............................... 203

88.......... Prescribing of pharmaceutical benefits ........................................... 204

88AA.... Power of PBS prescribers to record and retain medicare numbers and expiry dates                208

88A....... Prescription of certain pharmaceutical benefits authorised only in certain circumstances       209

89.......... Pharmaceutical benefits to be supplied only on prescription etc. .. 209

90.......... Approved pharmacists [see Note 1] .............................................. 210

90A....... Minister may substitute decision approving pharmacist ............... 213

90B....... Request to Minister to approve pharmacist .................................. 215

90C....... Circumstances in which request may not be made ......................... 216

90D....... Provision of further information ..................................................... 216

90E........ Effect of decision by Minister to approve pharmacist .................. 217

91.......... Application to supply pharmaceutical benefits following the death of approved pharmacist                218

92.......... Approved medical practitioners ..................................................... 221

92A....... Approvals to be subject to conditions ........................................... 221

92B....... Persons not to enter into certain refund agreements ....................... 224

93.......... Supply of certain pharmaceutical benefits by medical practitioners 224

93A....... Supply of certain pharmaceutical benefits to patients in private hospitals or aged care facilities           225

94.......... Approved hospital authorities ....................................................... 226

95.......... Suspension or revocation of approval ............................................ 227

98.......... Cancellation by Secretary of approval of pharmacists etc. ............ 228

98AA.... Cancellation by Minister of approval of hospital .......................... 230

98AB.... Notification by Department of alterations to pharmaceutical benefits scheme        230

Division 3--Payment for supply of pharmaceutical benefits                 231

98A....... Establishment of Pharmaceutical Benefits Remuneration Tribunal 231

98B....... Functions of Tribunal ..................................................................... 231

98BA.... Inquiries by Tribunal ...................................................................... 233

98BAA. Tribunal must give effect to certain agreements ............................. 233

98BB..... Constitution of Tribunal ................................................................. 234

98BC..... Procedure of Tribunal ..................................................................... 234

98BD.... Findings etc. of Tribunal to be made public ................................... 235

98BE..... Date of operation of determination of the Tribunal ....................... 236

98C....... Determinations by Minister ........................................................... 236

98D....... Form, and date of operation, of determinations under section 98C 236

98E........ Secrecy ............................................................................................ 237

99.......... Payment for supply of benefits ..................................................... 237

99AAA. Claim for payment relating to supply of benefits .......................... 242

99AAB. Certain suppliers exempted from requirement to use the Claims Transmission System         244

99AAC. Declaration by Secretary exempting approved supplier from using Claims Transmission System         244

99AA.... Unauthorised payments etc. ........................................................... 245

99AB.... Advances ........................................................................................ 246

Division 3A--Price reductions                                                                             248

Subdivision A--Preliminary                                                                                  248

99AC.... What this Division is about ............................................................ 248

99ACA. Definitions etc. ............................................................................... 248

Subdivision B--12.5% price reductions for new brands of pharmaceutical items that are not combination items     249

99ACB.. 12.5% price reduction for new brands of pharmaceutical items that are not combination items             249

Subdivision C--Price reductions for combination items                                  252

99ACC.. Price reductions for single brands of combination items ................ 252

99ACD. 12.5% price reduction for new brands of combination items ......... 254

99ACE.. Flow‑on of 12.5% price reduction to related brands of combination items              257

Subdivision D--Other statutory price reductions                                             259

99ACF.. Statutory price reductions .............................................................. 259

99ACG. Other price reductions do not apply if 12.5% statutory price reduction or price disclosure reduction applies      262

99ACH. 12.5% statutory price reduction flow‑on to related brands ........... 263

99ACI... 2% statutory price reduction .......................................................... 263

99ACJ... 25% statutory price reduction on single day .................................. 264

99ACK. 25% statutory price reduction phased over 2 or more days .......... 264

Division 3B--Price disclosure                                                                              266

Subdivision A--Preliminary                                                                                  266

99AD.... What this Division is about ............................................................ 266

99ADA. Application of this Division ........................................................... 266

99ADB. Definitions etc. ............................................................................... 267

Subdivision B--Price disclosure requirements                                                 268

99ADC. The price disclosure requirements .................................................. 268

Subdivision C--When the price disclosure requirements apply                    269

99ADD. Mandatory compliance with the price disclosure requirements ..... 269

99ADE.. Voluntary compliance with the price disclosure requirements ....... 271

Subdivision D--Consequences for failing to comply with the price disclosure requirements          271

99ADF.. Offence for failing to comply with the price disclosure requirements 271

99ADG. Other consequences for failing to comply with the price disclosure requirements 272

Subdivision E--Price reduction                                                                             273

99ADH. Price reduction based on information provided under the price disclosure requirements         273

Division 3C--Guarantee of supply                                                                     276

Subdivision A--Preliminary                                                                                  276

99AE..... What this Division is about ............................................................ 276

99AEA.. Definitions ...................................................................................... 276

Subdivision B--Guarantee of supply                                                                    277

99AEB.. Guarantee of supply ....................................................................... 277

Subdivision C--Brands that are guaranteed brands                                         277

99AEC.. Guaranteed brand: new brand ......................................................... 277

99AED.. Guaranteed brand: first brand to offer a lower price ...................... 279

Subdivision D--Meaning of fails to supply and unable to supply                     280

99AEE.. Meaning of fails to supply ............................................................... 280

99AEF.. Meaning of unable to supply ........................................................... 281

Subdivision E--Requirement to notify Minister of failure or inability to supply etc.          281

99AEG.. Requirement to notify Minister of failure to supply etc. .............. 281

Subdivision F--Consequences for guaranteed brands of failure or inability to supply       282

99AEH.. Minister's powers if responsible person fails to supply, or is unable to supply, guaranteed brand       282

Subdivision G--Consequences for other brands                                                283

99AEI... Minister may increase approved price to pharmacists etc. if guaranteed brand delisted         283

99AEJ... Minister may determine drug is on F1 if guaranteed brand delisted 284

99AEK.. Minister may revoke or vary formulary determination if guaranteed brand delisted               285

99AEL.. Minister may determine price disclosure election is revoked if guaranteed brand delisted      285

Division 4--Provisions relating to members of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Remuneration Tribunal                                                                                                                     287

99A....... Terms and conditions of appointment ........................................... 287

99B....... Remuneration and allowances ......................................................... 287

99C....... Resignation and removal from office .............................................. 287

99D....... Acting Chairperson ......................................................................... 288

99E........ Acting additional member ............................................................... 289

Division 4A--Indexation                                                                                         291

99F........ Definitions ...................................................................................... 291

99G....... Indexation ....................................................................................... 291

Division 4B--Australian Community Pharmacy Authority                    294

99H....... Interpretation .................................................................................. 294

99J........ Establishment of Authority ............................................................ 294

99K....... Functions ........................................................................................ 294

99L........ Determination of rules by Minister ................................................ 294

99M...... Powers ............................................................................................ 295

99N....... Membership ................................................................................... 295

99P........ Terms and conditions not provided for by this Act ....................... 295

99Q....... Defective appointment not invalid ................................................. 295

99R....... Remuneration and allowances ......................................................... 296

99S........ Leave of absence ............................................................................. 296

99T....... Disclosure of interests .................................................................... 296

99U....... Resignation ..................................................................................... 296

99V....... Termination of appointment .......................................................... 297

99W...... Meetings ......................................................................................... 297

99X....... Committees ..................................................................................... 298

99Y....... Cessation of operation [see Note 1] ............................................... 298

Division 4D--Export restriction                                                                          299

99ZH.... Definitions ...................................................................................... 299

99ZI...... Restrictions on carriage or consignment of drug like substances .... 301

99ZJ...... Detention of certain drug like substances being carried out of Australia and retention of related documents          302

99ZK.... Detention of certain drug like substances consigned for export and retention of related documents       304

99ZL..... Examination and inspection powers ............................................... 307

99ZM... Customs may detain some drug like substances and not others ..... 308

99ZN.... Customs treatment of detained substances and retained documents 308

99ZO.... Treatment by the Medicare Australia CEO of detained substances and retained documents 311

99ZP..... Right of compensation in certain circumstances for substances destroyed              313

99ZQ.... Disposal of forfeited substances .................................................... 313

99ZR..... Liability for acts done in good faith ................................................ 314

99ZS..... Guidelines for detention of, dealing with, and disposal of, substances 314

99ZT..... Forfeiture of substances detained under section 99ZJ or 99ZK .... 316

Division 5--General                                                                                                   317

100........ Special arrangements ....................................................................... 317

100AA.. Special pharmaceutical products .................................................... 317

100A..... Establishment and membership of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee            319

100B..... Appointment etc. of members of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee             320

100C..... Termination of appointment .......................................................... 320

100D..... Remuneration .................................................................................. 321

101........ Functions of Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee ......... 321

101A..... Sub‑committees of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee 325

102........ Testing of drugs .............................................................................. 325

103........ Offences .......................................................................................... 325

104A..... Pharmacists to furnish statement of stocks .................................... 329

104B..... Report on impact of National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) Act 2007              329

105........ Regulations ..................................................................................... 330

Part VIIA--Reviews by Administrative Appeals Tribunal                          331

105AA.. Interpretation .................................................................................. 331

105AAB Applications for review by Tribunal of certain decisions under Part V   331

105AB.. Application for review by Tribunal ............................................... 332

105AC.. Statements to accompany notification of decisions ....................... 334

105AD.. Application for review by Tribunal of decisions of the Australian Community Pharmacy Authority   335

105AE... Time limits ...................................................................................... 336

Part VIII--Committees of Inquiry                                                                             337

Division 1--Preliminary                                                                                           337

107........ Interpretation .................................................................................. 337

Division 3--Pharmaceutical Services Committees of Inquiry             338

113........ Pharmaceutical Services Federal Committee of Inquiry ................. 338

114........ Functions of Federal Committee .................................................... 338

115........ Pharmaceutical Services State Committees of Inquiry ................... 338

116........ Functions of State Committee ........................................................ 338

117........ Reports not to relate to conduct of PBS prescribers ...................... 339

Division 3A--Nursing Homes Fees Review Committees of Inquiry 340

117A..... Nursing Homes Fees Review Committees of Inquiry .................... 340

117B..... Functions of State Committees ...................................................... 340

Division 4--Provisions applicable to Committees generally               341

118........ Interpretation .................................................................................. 341

119........ Membership of Committees ........................................................... 341

119A..... Acting Member ............................................................................... 341

120........ Chairperson .................................................................................... 341

120A..... Vacancies in Committees ................................................................ 342

121........ Procedure of Committees ............................................................... 342

122........ Evidence .......................................................................................... 342

123........ Proceedings in private ..................................................................... 342

124........ Determination of questions at meetings ......................................... 342

125........ PBS prescriber or pharmacist affected by inquiry to be given notice 343

126........ Summoning of witnesses ................................................................ 344

127........ Committee may examine upon oath or affirmation ........................ 344

128........ Failure to attend or produce documents ......................................... 344

129........ Refusal to be sworn or give evidence .............................................. 345

130........ Protection of witnesses .................................................................. 345

131........ Allowances to witnesses ................................................................ 345

132........ Protection of members .................................................................... 345

Part IX--Miscellaneous                                                                                                   347

133........ Effect of prosecution for offence .................................................... 347

133A..... Territories ....................................................................................... 349

134........ Effect of suspension or cancellation of approval or authority ....... 349

134A..... Publication of particulars of certain action taken under this Act ... 350

134B..... Time for commencing prosecutions ................................................ 351

134C..... Defence in certain prosecutions ...................................................... 351

134E...... Conduct by directors, servants or agents ....................................... 351

135........ Right of Commonwealth officers to practise .................................. 352

135A..... Officers to observe secrecy ............................................................ 352

135AAA Prescribers and approved suppliers must observe secrecy in relation to medicare numbers and expiry dates provided for pharmaceutical benefit scheme purposes .................................. 361

135AA.. Privacy guidelines ........................................................................... 365

135AB.. Breaches of the privacy guidelines ................................................. 369

135AC.. Authorisation of collection of particular health information .......... 369

135B..... Prosecution of offences .................................................................. 370

136........ Committees ..................................................................................... 370

136A..... Filling of vacancies on committees ................................................. 370

137........ Moneys from which payments under this Act are to be made ...... 371

138........ Exercise of Secretary's powers subject to directions of Minister .. 371

138A..... Telephone access to offices ............................................................ 371

139........ Judicial notice of signature of Secretary ......................................... 371

139A..... Evidence .......................................................................................... 372

139B..... Certain instruments subject to disallowance .................................. 373

139C..... Information with respect to concessional beneficiaries .................. 374

140........ Regulations ..................................................................................... 374

Schedule 4--Nursing Homes whose approvals as Nursing Homes for disabled people are to be revoked                                                                                                                                     375

Notes                                                                                                                                           377