(Aust Prescr 1996;19:51)
Omega 3 fatty acids - natural fish oil concentrate
Sir, - Omega 3 fatty acids (fish oil) is a proven, safe and cost -effective treatment for hypertriglyceridaemia. It is recommended as a suitable option to modify cardiovascular risk by most authorities on lipid management.
Why is there no PBS listing for this safe, cost-effective and natural alternative?
Paul O'Brien
General Practitioner
Byron Bay, N.S.W.
PBAC response:
In 1991, at the Consensus Conference on the Management of Hyperlipidaemia, which was jointly sponsored by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), the National Heart Foundation and the National Health and Medical Research Council, the use of fish oil supplements was endorsed as a possible alternative to treat predominant hypertriglyceridaemia. However, to date, the PBAC has not received any company applications for the listing of fish oil preparations and, under these circumstances, is not in a position to recommend that they be listed as pharmaceutical benefits.
I can only suggest that you contact the manufacturers of fish oil preparations and encourage them to submit applications for listing to the PBAC.
