Commonwealth Consolidated ActsAct No. 95 of 1953 as amended
This compilation was prepared on 2 July 2008
taking into account amendments up to Act No. 49 of 2008
[Note: Subsections 90(3A), (3AA), (3AB), (3AC), (3AD), (3AE), (3AF) and (3B) cease to have effect on 30 June 2010, see section 90(3C)
Division 4B of Part VII ceases to have effect on 30 June 2010 , see section 99Y]
The text
of any of those amendments not in force
on that date is appended in the Notes section
The operation of amendments that
have been incorporated may be
affected by application provisions that are set out in the Notes section
Prepared by the Office of
Legislative Drafting and Publishing,
Attorney‑General's Department, Canberra
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