The independent review that urged the Federal Government to defund NPS MedicineWise said the charity’s claim it had saved Medicare $100 million over five years was unconvincing based on the evidence.  

But it also told Minister for Health Mark Butler to ensure the survival of Australian Prescriber, saying the monthly journal read by 100,000 doctors had “no equivalent”.  

“It is essential there is a plan for its continued contribution to the Australian healthcare landscape,” it said. 

The review, by consultancy firm Deloitte, was quietly published on Wednesday, several hours after the charity said it would shut its doors permanently from the end of the year because it would no longer receive $25 million in annual federal funding.