Australian Government - Department of Health and Ageing

Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC)

Application 1037

Advanced breast biopsy instrumentation (ABBI®) system for non-palpable breast lesions

Application No.

1037

Application NameAdvanced breast biopsy instrumentation (ABBI®) system for non-palpable breast lesions
Advisory PanelDr David Robinson
(Chair and MSAC member)
Dr Maxwell Coleman
(co-opted member)
Mr John Collins
(Royal Australasian College of Surgeons nominee)
Dr John Primrose
(Medical Advisor to the MSAC)
Associate Professor Richard West
(co-opted member)
Dr Neil Wetzig
(co-opted member)
Ms Robyn Wicks
(Consumers' Health Forum of Australia nominee)
Date Received by MSAC Secretariat20 July 2000
Stage 1 - EligibilityEligible
Stage 2 - AssessmentCompleted
Stage 3 - Formulation of Advice to the MinisterThis assessment was considered by the MSAC at the 24 August 2001 meeting.

The MSAC recommended that, on the strength of evidence pertaining to advanced breast biopsy instrumentation (ABBI®), public funding should be supported for the diagnostic use of this procedure, as long as fees are such that health system costs do not exceed those comparators. There is insufficient evidence for the use of ABBI® in a therapeutic role for breast cancer. The use of ABBI® equipment is to be limited to surgeons and radiologists with sufficient training and expertise in the procedure, in order to reproduce in Australian practice the results reported in the literature. A costing study should be carried out to assist in the setting of an appropriate Medicare rebate.
Stage 4 - DecisionEndorsed by the Minister for Health and Ageing 18 September 2001
Stage 5 - ImplementationImplemented