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.
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Latest News
Former Medicines NZ chair says the time for talk on Pharmac is over
A former chair of Medicines New Zealand has called on the country's new coalition government to act quickly on its plans to reform Pharmac.
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Podcast The 'Week in Review' - 1 December December 1, 2023
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BioPharma Ex-TGA head John Skerritt appointed to Medicines Australia board December 5, 2023Professor John Skerritt has joined the Medicines Australia board as an independent elected director after retiring from the Australian Public Service in April.
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Latest News National Pharmacies opens its first 24-7 pharmacy under South Australian initiative December 4, 2023South 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.”
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Latest News Company submissions request faster access for cancer immunotherapies December 4, 2023The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee will consider two submissions at its December intracycle meeting that could fundamentally reshape PBS policy and decision-making.
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Latest News How does this indicate 'progress' on an 'action plan to enhance organisational culture'? December 4, 2023New 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.
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Latest News AstraZeneca welcomes expanded PBS listing for its immunotherapy December 4, 2023Two important new listings for AstraZeneca's IMFINZI (durvalumab) for patients with an advanced form of lung cancer and a rare and aggressive gastrointestinal cancer.
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Latest News Is the system about to be seriously tested? Will it deliver? What will it deliver? December 4, 2023Suppose 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.
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Latest News New Zealand's new government accepts resignation of Pharmac chair December 1, 2023“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.
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Latest News A minimalist but entirely predictable response - the opportunities are in the nuance December 1, 2023The 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'.
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Latest News AusBiotech welcomes the federal government's NRF investment mandate December 1, 2023AusBiotech has welcomed the publication of the investment mandate for the federal government's $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund.
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Latest News AbbVie welcomes expanded PBS listing for JAK inhibitor December 1, 2023AbbVie's PBS-listed once-daily tablet RINVOQ (upadacitinib) has had its reimbursement expanded to include adult patients with severe Crohn’s disease.
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Latest News Gilead announces research fellows and partners for Community Champions program December 1, 2023Gilead 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.
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Latest News Industry leaders sign pledge against anti-semitism, others invited to join November 30, 2023Three 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.
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Latest News Japan's regulator approves CSL's self-amplifying mRNA COVID-19 vaccine November 30, 2023CSL and its partner Arcturus Therapeutics have announced that Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) has approved ARCT-154.
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Latest News Bristol Myers Squibb Australia launches its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan November 30, 2023“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.
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Latest News BioCurate announces the appointment of new chief executive officer November 29, 2023BioCurate 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.”
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Latest News New minister gives a less than ringing endorsement of Pharmac's leadership November 29, 2023David 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.
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Latest News Audit expected to closely scrutinise the use of list and confidential pricing November 29, 2023The Auditor General is expected to closely scrutinise the use of confidential pricing for the reimbursement of medicines via the PBS.
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Latest News Decline in the use of opioids and psychotropics in patients treated with new CF therapies November 29, 2023The 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.
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Latest News 'The value of knowing and the value of community, are overlooked' November 29, 2023"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."
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Latest News Expanded audit adds complexity to an already complex period of change November 28, 2023The 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.
Australian Biotech
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FDA confirms approach to Sofdra NDA resubmission and the materials required
December 4, 2023 -
PharmAust completes Phase 1 MEND study and files for US Orphan Drug Designation
December 4, 2023 -
OncoSil Medical onboards first patient in the PANCOSIL clinical trial
December 4, 2023 -
Korean regulator approves Amplia Therapeutics' pancreatic cancer trial
December 4, 2023 -
AusBiotech welcomes the federal government's NRF investment mandate
December 1, 2023
Other Health
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Members Health welcomes federal government's stricter vaping laws
December 4, 2023 -
Medibank and Healthscope annnounce a 'strengthened' partnership
December 4, 2023 -
Asthma deaths on the rise again, but could be avoided
November 30, 2023 -
Health technology firm named among fastest-growing Australian start-ups
November 29, 2023 -
Medibank releases annual research report, marking ten years of support
November 29, 2023
Latest Video
New Stories
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Former Medicines NZ chair says the time for talk on Pharmac is over
December 5, 2023 - - Latest News -
Ex-TGA head John Skerritt appointed to Medicines Australia board
December 5, 2023 - - BioPharma -
FDA confirms approach to Sofdra NDA resubmission and the materials required
December 4, 2023 - - Australian Biotech -
National Pharmacies opens its first 24-7 pharmacy under South Australian initiative
December 4, 2023 - - Latest News -
PharmAust completes Phase 1 MEND study and files for US Orphan Drug Designation
December 4, 2023 - - Australian Biotech -
OncoSil Medical onboards first patient in the PANCOSIL clinical trial
December 4, 2023 - - Australian Biotech -
Korean regulator approves Amplia Therapeutics' pancreatic cancer trial
December 4, 2023 - - Australian Biotech