Time to make this 'targeted' consultation a little less targeted

International comparisons might matter, but only if we employ them consistently. Why limit international comparisons, and why are officials redoing so much of what was already done by the formal review?

A Johnson & Johnson CAR-T therapy is now funded in Australia, almost exactly three years to the day after Health Minister Mark Butler acknowledged in response to questions about its availability that the country's use of health technology assessment is 'clunky' and responsible for preventable deaths.

La Trobe has responded by creating the Research and Engagement for Antimicrobial Resistance and Community Health initiative, known as REACH, to develop new ways to prevent and treat pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

"We are seeking greater transparency of the protocol itself and the stakeholders that have been invited to participate, as there are inherent biases in an anonymous Delphi protocol that may undermine the intent of the original HTA Review recommendations," said the Medicines Australia chief executive.

“We acknowledge there are significant challenges involved in securing reimbursement for innovative medicines in Australia, and our focus in the near term is on enabling private access so patients are not left waiting without options," said Manny Simons, General Manager of Lilly Australia and New Zealand.

Specialised Therapeutics secured the rights to NIKTIMVO in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore via a June 2025 agreement with Incyte. The company said it is exploring reimbursement through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

The proposed new wording, if adopted, would add significant detail to the guidelines, but it is unlikely to satisfy change advocates.

We now have a non-transparent closed study involving an unidentified group of 'targeted' stakeholders to support a guideline review as an outcome of an implementation review of the initial review. You literally could not make it up.

The selective consultation on these actions was launched via targeted invitations to select stakeholders on the same day the Health Department opened public consultation on the draft patient engagement framework.

The conversation with the two leaders took place ahead of yesterday's official opening of UCB's new Australian headquarters in Melbourne, marking the 25th anniversary of its establishment in Australia.

Tokenistic characterisations of patient engagement are no substitute for listening and empowering. The risk of government funding organisations and how it can impact what they do, primarily because the government is just another vested interest.

No fee increases, but a review against the backdrop of potential new processes as a result of the Health Technology Assessment Review suggests change is coming.

Dave Pearce, General Manager, Oceania at Takeda, said, "Takeda is committed to bringing forward new treatment options in areas where patients have historically had limited choices."

The Bridge Program has marked a decade of work turning Australian medical research and pharmaceutical innovation into real-world solutions when partners, industry leaders and researchers gathered at Amgen Australia in Sydney for its 10 Year Launch Event.

Where is the very simple, specific and measurable evaluation of how patients changed and improved HTA decisions in terms of speed and time to funded access? Surely, this is the only serious measure of the institution's claim to love patient engagement.

Field staff will receive next-best actions, automated cycle planning, and simplified call reporting, enabling them to work from real-time insights and intelligent recommendations.

In a special op‑ed, patient leader Petrina Fraccaro argues that Australia’s NDSS unfairly cuts off adults with cystic fibrosis–related diabetes from continuous glucose monitoring at age 21, despite CFRD’s Type‑1‑like risks and the urgent need.

If the minister chooses to rely on the committee’s non-binding advice, that is an exercise of political and policy choice. If that choice results in negative consequences for patients, responsibility lies with the minister, not the committee.