Budget outcome confirms double-digit growth for pharmaceutical spend

Processes like the HTA review represent the hijacking of public health by officials and a small group of privileged stakeholders who then use the instruments of government to impose an all-pervasive conformity that punishes dissent by exclusion.

The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia has announced a new recognition program that aims to transform pharmacy practice in Australia and New Zealand.

This matters because so many people responsible for decisions during the pandemic are beyond the powers of this inquiry, such as those responsible for major decisions on COVID-19 vaccines, including retired health minister Greg Hunt, former health department secretary Professor Brendan Murphy AC, and ex-TGA head John Skerritt.

A special guest joins the podcast to discuss the lost opportunity to celebrate a significant anniversary for the PBS and even reshape perceptions of the program. The government has also released its Final Budget Outcome, revealing strong growth in pharmaceutical spending and a problem with invoicing companies for rebates.

AuBiotech CEO Lorraine Chiroiu has announced that she will depart the organisation in December after five years leading the peak representative body for Australia's biotechnology sector.

Pharmac has featured again during New Zealand's election campaign with the future of its potential fiscal 'cliff' the focus of debate.

The company said the 'Welcome to the mRNAge' campaign will include a range of assets that aim to create an approachable and inclusive connection with the audience, to expand the understanding of the possibilities of mRNA technology.

The Department of Health and Aged Care has re-published a communique released by the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence last month on the international health technology assessment collaboration.

Two US congressmen, one Republican and the other a Democrat, have moved to amend the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act with the goal of protecting investment in new therapies for rare diseases.

BioCurate, the independently operated joint venture between The University of Melbourne and Monash University, has announced the renewal of its partnership with Takeda.

The New South Wales government has launched its Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding and is now inviting submissions from health sector representative bodies, service providers, health staff and practitioners, and the general public.

In publishing a two-part Budget analysis for the pharmaceuticals services and benefits sub-function, BioPharmaDispatch has sought to highlight a developing factor that will feed into an already complex environment for the PBS.

AusBiotech has described the US FDA approval of GSK's OJJAARA (momelotinib) as a "huge moment" for Australia's biotechnology community.

Moderna has announced the appointment of Dr Andrea McCracken as a medical director for Australia and New Zealand.

Moderna has celebrated a halfway milestone for its Australian mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility nine months after breaking ground on the construction site in the Monash Technology Precinct in Melbourne.

In the 2020-21 Budget, the government forecast spending on the sub-function of $15.104 billion in 2023-24. This has steadily risen and was $19.106 billion in the 2023-24 Budget, matching what was seen for 2022-23.

A group of people with expertise in Voluntary Assisted Dying have suggested that all cancer specialists and GPs should undertake training for end-of-life decisions by patients.

As we await the 2022-23 Final Budget Outcome, an analysis of forecast government spending on the pharmaceuticals sub-function reveals a potentially significant spike in topline growth. It also shows how Budget estimates for low or no growth can be very misleading because of what they do not include.

“Novo Nordisk heard loud and clear the impact to the 15,000 Australians living with diabetes who depended on FIASP, if FIASP was no longer available on the PBS. We are pleased that patients can continue accessing this treatment on the PBS,” said Cem Ozenc, corporate vice president and general manager of Novo Nordisk Oceania.