Olympian joins call urging vigilance on meningococcal risk

We need a reimbursement framework. Yet, why does it need to be the one we have? Why not have a meaningful debate about the ethics of knowingly allowing patients to suffer and, in some cases, die while the government takes the time to secure a good for itself?

“Our voices as patients and carers matter because they ensure that decisions about medicines and health technologies reflect what truly matters to people living with illness," said new president Sarah McGoram.

Despite welcomed reductions in the general PBS co-payment, millions of Australians remain effectively uninsured for most of the PBS medicines they need. Are we really in any position to lecture other countries about affordability?

The ongoing debate regarding the US, the Trump administration's potential tariffs on pharmaceuticals and the PBS is mainly characterised by falsehoods and errors. We discuss our incredible frustration over a debate that is almost entirely disconnected from facts, including the apparent belief that Australia has a vast array of advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. We also have praise for the Prime Minister following his statements at a media conference today.

“Thank you to the Australian Government for entrusting Biointelect to support our scientists to bring advancements in vaccines, vaccine-related technologies, and immunotherapies to benefit the health of all Australians,” said Leah Goodman, CEO Biointelect.

The Trump administration's 'Most Favored Nation' prescription medicine pricing policy poses more of a direct risk to the PBS than tariffs, says Medicines Australia chief executive Liz de Somer.

Medibank has announced that it will become Australia's first private health insurer to subsidise pharmacogenetic testing to guide medicine choices.

New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister and Associate Health Minister, David Seymour, has welcomed Pharmac’s decision to improve access to asthma inhalers and long-acting contraceptives.

Australia's approach might be justified on public health grounds, but let's drop the hypocrisy. Australia effectively applies reverse tariffs on some pharmaceuticals and health products.

The current debate about the US applying tariffs to pharmaceutical imports and demands for PBS reforms is the most ludicrous in the recent history of the program.

Chief nurse Kate Holliday notes that for the industry, this shift highlights the ongoing need to engage with primary care nurses. Yet the expertise of nurses continues to be overlooked in some key healthcare decision-making committees, despite their critical contributions, she says.

Stakeholders, including pharmacy, have welcomed new guidelines from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency for practitioners who prescribe and dispense medicinal cannabis.

Australian antiviral drug development company, Island Pharmaceuticals (ASX:ILA), has signed an agreement to acquire the galidesivir antiviral program from US-based BioCryst Pharmaceuticals.

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has revealed that health spending is under increasing pressure in its Incoming Government Brief to Health Minister Mark Butler.

Patients Australia has convened a new consortium comprised of a range of private healthcare providers to develop new standards for the telehealth sector.

AusBiotech has marked the first half of 2025 by confirming 27 new member organisations, including multinational biopharmaceutical companies.

Setting aside the lack of utility of these documents, which provide virtually incomprehensible explanations for demanding price reductions, the information they contain belongs to the sponsor companies, who have every right to delay or prevent their publication.

MedAdvisor CEO and managing director, Rick Ratliff, said, "We are now sharpening our focus on the US business. While near-term market headwinds persist, we remain confident in the strength of our platform, the depth of our client relationships, and the strategic investments positioning us for long-term growth."

The South Australian Government has responded to a significant seasonal flu outbreak by announcing it will fund pharmacies to administer the vaccines to children aged six months to five years.