'Last week's Budget a missed opportunity for fairer policies to support not-for-profits'

Diabetes Australia and other groups are calling for election commitments from political parties to expand affordable access to life-changing technologies.

The over-hyped response to PhRMA's submission to the United States Trade Representative's Special 301 process has been exposed for the nonsense it was with the release of the 2025 National Trade Estimate.

Announcing the PBS reimbursement, Andrew Thomas, GSK Australia vice president and general manager, said, “After being introduced internationally, we are thrilled to finally bring OMJJARA ‘home’ and remain enormously proud of our contribution and of the teams who have made this happen."

Nicole Gaupset, the general manager of Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, Australasia, said, “Alexion is delighted that the Australian Government has acknowledged the profound impact of this disease by listing Ultomiris on the PBS.”

Christina Xinos, the medical director for Ipsen Australia, said, “We believe that this development demonstrates the rare focus we have on providing solutions for people living with cholestatic liver disease and improving patient outcomes.”

The company said it created the council to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living with diabetes, obesity, and related chronic conditions.

A new Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report has revealed the emerging impact of the changes to make treatment for opiate dependence more affordable and accessible.

US criticism of the PBS is like catnip for some people, they can't resist it, even if it's the same criticism articulated by multiple Australian stakeholders and the health minister. The strange secrecy over the government's review of arrangements for blood supply products and the terrible treatment of a female academic leader.

The Budget included over $1 billion in funding decisions taken but not yet announced and around the same amount in future savings measures. The details of these decisions and measures will be announced by the Albanese Government this week or released as part of PEFO next week.

The Boehringer Ingelheim Australia and New Zealand general manager, Ed Hollywood, said, “Managing cardiovascular risk is a critical element of diabetes care. Ultimately, the goal is to prevent cardiovascular events and deaths."

The Department of Health and Aged Care has confirmed a review of Australia's arrangements for the supply of blood products but declined to provide details, including terms of reference.

The work of the Health Technology Assessment Review Implementation Advisory Group will continue during the election caretaker period.

According to Health Minister Mark Butler, the government will never negotiate the design of the PBS with the US pharmaceutical industry while relying on a reform process underpinned by negotiation with the pharmaceutical industry.

In an interview with ABC 7. 30 Report tonight, Lilly CEO David Ricks stated the obvious: The industry wants a better PBS, not to dismantle it, and that means faster access to innovation.

Natalie Down, the director of people and culture at Daiichi Sankyo Australia, will be recognised as a Luminary by the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association at its annual Woman of the Year celebration.

Medicines Australia CEO Liz de Somer said, "After a year of consulting with members and other stakeholders, it is exciting to officially launch industry’s Code Edition 20 that builds on and improves Edition 19 of the Code."

Less than 100 hours ago, Health Minister Mark Butler boasted of his need to 'nudge' HTA processes he had previously described as "clunky" and responsible for preventable deaths. He now defends the inviolability of the system against criticism from the US-based industry that parrots his own. Confused?

“This is a significant step towards relieving the financial burden of ill health and chronic conditions and making sure people can get the medicine they need," said National President Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Professor Trent Twomey.

Patients contributing to Australia's HTA processes are forced to use an online portal, do not know how their input is used, and receive no follow-up or feedback. Compare that to the role of patient input under the US government's price negotiation power for prescription medicines.

What is the problem with international criticism of Australia's use of HTA and pricing policy? This is the framework Health Minister Mark Butler described as "clunky" while acknowledging its responsibility for preventable deaths.

Since 2000, when it started in a makeshift basement laboratory, QBiotics has spent 25 years focused on discovering and developing novel cell signalling small molecules for challenging medical conditions.

New listings can occur during the caretaker period when the government has already committed to funding. Given the need for new spending, the minister can also list a medicine with a budgetary impact after consulting with the shadow minister, which is generally unusual.