Former Medicines NZ chair says the time for talk on Pharmac is over

We discuss the apparent reluctance to speak out on one important issue. The Government's entirely predictable response to the inquiry on access to new medicines and novel medical technologies, why disappointment is the wrong reaction, and the importance of giving New Zealand's government time to reform Pharmac.

Professor John Skerritt has joined the Medicines Australia board as an independent elected director after retiring from the Australian Public Service in April.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said, “People get sick at any time of day and having prompt access to medication and trusted health advice is vital.”

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee will consider two submissions at its December intracycle meeting that could fundamentally reshape PBS policy and decision-making.

New employees were not responsible for the emails that disgusted patients and the wider community. The chief executive has been a senior leader at Pharmac for over ten years and carries primary responsibility for the organisation's culture.

Two important new listings for AstraZeneca's IMFINZI (durvalumab) for patients with an advanced form of lung cancer and a rare and aggressive gastrointestinal cancer.

Suppose the system can accommodate this proposal based on company submissions, PBAC advice and a ministerial policy decision. In that case, we should end the charade of a secret discussion about discount rates and comparator selection.

“Steve Maharey tendered his resignation to the Government by way of a letter to Associate Minister of Health David Seymour," said new health minister Dr Shane Reti.

The Albanese Government has effectively rejected or obfuscated most of the committee's recommendations, but that does not mean the response has no value or cannot contribute to positive change. Stakeholders must understand the nuance and recognise the real opportunities because these processes never deliver the 'magic bullet'.

AusBiotech has welcomed the publication of the investment mandate for the federal government's $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund.

AbbVie's PBS-listed once-daily tablet RINVOQ (upadacitinib) has had its reimbursement expanded to include adult patients with severe Crohn’s disease.

Gilead Sciences Australia has marked World AIDS Day by announcing the first cohort’s completion of an HIV fellowship program and partnered with NAPWHA to celebrate the unsung heroes of the Australian HIV response.

Three pharmaceutical industry leaders, including a former health department secretary, are amongst 600 prominent Australians to sign a public pledge against the surge of anti-semitic events since 7 October.

CSL and its partner Arcturus Therapeutics have announced that Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) has approved ARCT-154.

“Our Innovate RAP will be guided by our RAP vision to ensure Australia’s First Peoples attain the same level of health care and health outcomes as other Australians,” said Medical director Dr Melinda Munns.

BioCurate chair John Brumby AO said, “The Board and I are delighted to welcome Kathy to the role. Aside from her stellar track record as a team leader, she has a rare combination of governance, technical, IP and commercialisation capabilities, along with industry connections that will be incredibly valuable to our mission.”

David Seymour said he was “not going to pass judgment” on Pharmac chief executive Fitt but was “wary” about her conduct and was “not going to pre-judge" a decision on the future of chair Steve Maharey.

The Auditor General is expected to closely scrutinise the use of confidential pricing for the reimbursement of medicines via the PBS.

The Centre for Medicine Use and Safety within the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences has released research that shows a decline in the use of opioid and psychotropic medicines following the reimbursement of ‘modulator therapy’ for cystic fibrosis.

"Intangible value, such as the value of knowing and the value of community, are overlooked," it says, adding there are significant benefits for patients, their families and carers "from knowing the results of a test that may provide a treatment or a cure in the future."

The HTA review is a process where the existing institutional framework is essentially talking to itself. The ANAO audit is an independent external entity investigating the performance of that framework. The latter is likely to have a far greater long-term impact on decision-making.