'The fight is not over until this is all resolved, but seeing the system start to move is a great first step'

The minister's statement revealed some frustration. It is fair to assume that health department officials appearing at today's Senate Estimates hearing might be questioned about what the minister knew about the planned deferrals.

The Kosi Challenge is back for 2025, with Rare Cancers Australia set to launch registration for the event that raised almost $700,000 last year.

Health Minister Mark Butler says he has "directed" the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee to hold an additional full meeting in May 2025.

Nobody should be surprised that clear language about the most significant institutional failure in PBS history has triggered a broader political firestorm.

The final report of the Albanese Government's Scope of Practice Review has triggered a mixed response, with pharmacists welcoming the recommendations and doctor groups warning against some of the proposed changes.

New Zealand's Associate Health Minister David Seymour says that Medsafe’s annual performance statistics show it is accelerating its regulatory approval process.

Richard Freed is the CEO and co-founder of RheumaGen and spoke with BioPharmaDispatch during his current trip to Australia.

Stakeholders should be concerned that some inside the government might ask whether the deferral or rejection of submissions from the evaluation process should be permanently adopted.

Ipsen general manager Julien Dagher said the company is delighted to have received this certification and looks forward to maintaining and enhancing this culture.

Does the industry retain an ability to oppose and advocate against the Government? Cost recovery was only introduced after three parliamentary inquiries and one Senate rejection driven by industry advocacy. The industry was respected and rewarded for its advocacy.

It's another week of debate over PBS deferrals. Unfortunately, there appears to be an effort to limit public discussion. Given the obvious risk to patients and the implications for the access agenda, which is flailing against the backdrop of deferrals, how does that make sense? It also stands in stark contrast to when cost recovery was introduced.

Better Access Australia has launched a petition against the Government's attempt to defer the evaluation and consideration of almost 50 submissions to the March 2025 PBAC meeting.

AstraZeneca was joined by Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen to officially open its new solar car park.

Migraine Australia says it is thrilled that from 1 November GPs will be able to initiate patients on the PBS-listed biologic migraine management medicines in consultation with specialists.

According to the health department's annual report, companies paid $5.3 billion in rebates for PBS-listed medicines in 2023-24, while growth in net spending on the program was well below inflation.

Australians with a rare and incurable form of blood cancer can now access a new treatment made available via a partnership between Arrotex and Juniper.

Pharmac is consulting on a proposal to widen access to denosumab for more people with osteoporosis and people who have high levels of calcium in their blood and have cancer.

Liz Selby has transitioned from acting to permanent country lead for Sanof's pharmaceutical business in Australia and New Zealand.

A health department spokesperson says the PBAC has not decided to cap the number of cost-effectiveness analysis submissions at 32. Yet it has decided that it can only meet its legal obligations under the Act with a cap of 32 in March. Clearly, there is a cap. The question is the basis on which it is applied.