Australian Government - Department of Health and Ageing

Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC)

Application 1031

Deep brain stimulation for the symptoms of Parkinson's disease

Application No.

1031

Application NameDeep brain stimulation for the symptoms of Parkinson's disease
Advisory PanelProfessor Bryant Stokes
(Chair and MSAC member)
Dr David Jarvis
(Royal Australian College of General Practitioners)
Dr Kate D'Este
(co-opted member)
Professor Philip Thompson
(Australian Association of Neurologists nominee)
Professor Robert Helme
(Australian Society for Geriatric Medicine nominee)
Mr Peter Dawkins
(Consumers' Health Forum of Australia nominee)
Dr Malcolm Pell
(co-opted member)
Date Received by MSAC Secretariat24 February 2000
Stage 1 - EligibilityEligible
Stage 2 - AssessmentCompleted
Stage 3 - Formulation of Advice to the MinisterThis assessment was considered by the MSAC at the 23 May 2001 meeting.

The MSAC recommends that, based on the strength of evidence pertaining to deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease, interim public funding should be supported:

- for patients where their response to medical therapy is not sustained and is accompanied by unacceptable motor fluctuations; and

- subject to patients' participation in an appropriate controlled trail to obtain information on adverse events, longer-term patient outcomes and costs in the Australian setting. This should be carried out in consultation with appropriate groups and States, and should be limited to centres with necessary expertise.

This recommendation is to be reviewed no later than three years from the date of this report.
Stage 4 - DecisionEndorsed by the Minister for Health and Ageing 19 June 2001
Stage 5 - ImplementationImplemented