The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) data collection contains information on prescription medicines that qualify for a benefit under the National Health Act 1953 and for which a claim has been processed.

The database comprises information about PBS scripts and payments, patients, prescribers and dispensing pharmacies.

AIHW has access to a view of the data held by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing for approved studies, including data linkage projects (see AIHW Data Integration Services Centre).

The dataset is owned and managed by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. The Department has issued a Public Interest Certificate approving AIHW access to PBS claims and under co-payment data for research and statistical purposes.

Collection details
Variables to support reporting and linkage
  • Age (Date of birth)
  • Sex/gender

Temporal coverage 

from 1/2/1984

Geographical coverage

National 

Data availability

  • Publications
  • Summary tables published in electronic form
  • Statistics

Unit records are not available. There are restrictions and limitations governing the availability or use of data in this holding.

Data scope 

PBS claims data are an administrative by-product of the Department of Human Services administration of the subsidised prescription payment system.

PBS prescriptions are available to all Australian residents who hold a current Medicare card and overseas visitors from countries with which Australia has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA).

Methodology 

Admin data

Metadata information and data quality statement (DQS)

Not specifically available for this data collection, however, the Data Set Specification Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) state/territory data extract 2013-14- external site opens in new window may be useful to users of the data.
 (METEOR 602524)

External links and information 

PBS online (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing)

Contact

[email protected]

*Data collection with restricted access