Major new survey shows patients paying more and waiting longer for medicines

No minister acting responsibly or exercising proper judgment would take any action that would result in patients losing access to innovative therapies for a degenerative neurological condition for which disease control is critical. The issue in this case is the risk that a minister will not exercise their legal authority.

If the committee advises the minister to delist the therapies on cost grounds, Health Minister Mark Butler still retains the power to set aside the advice and waive the reduction. Under the National Health Act 1953, the minister retains absolute discretion over pricing.

Today marks a significant day for the PBS and its stakeholder groups, with 1 July marking a critical trigger date for the negotiation of new industry agreements and major changes to wholesaler remuneration arrangements.

Moderna has produced a Winter 2026 Respiratory Disease Update that provides an analysis of respiratory illness and vaccination activity to date this year among older Australians and at-risk groups.

The Guid has described the AMA's position as “misleading,” “predictable” and an example of “professional protectionism,” arguing that specially trained, condition‑based pharmacist prescribers will safely reduce dangerous delays in care.

Selina Clifford, General Manager Australia and New Zealand at UCB, said, “Our ambition at UCB is to transform the lives of people living with severe and rare diseases such as myasthenia gravis. We are pleased to bring a new treatment option to healthcare professionals and Australians living with generalised myasthenia gravis.”

Congratulations to one of Australia's leading health journalists on a highly effective series of stories and commentaries that reveal the true extent of this country's challenge and the problems patients face in accessing medicines. A welcome hardening of the research-based industry's public position on the need for change, a very good report on a needed health technology, and another 'cheap' outcome for patients.

“This research has the potential to transform how lung disease is treated not only in Australia, but worldwide," said Health Minister Mark Butler.  “This therapy could offer more relief and hope for the more than 9 million people in Australia living with lung disease.”

Neuren CEO Jon Pilcher said, “I am so delighted for all stakeholders to see this positive outcome from the CHMP re-examination process recommending marketing authorisation for DAYBU in the EU."

CSL Seqirus has welcomed the announcement that neffy adrenaline nasal spray will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme on 1 July, making the product reimbursed for emergency treatment of anaphylaxis in adults and some children.

Chifumi Umeda, Managing Director of MSD Australia and New Zealand, said, “We welcome the Government’s investment in expanding access to adult pneumococcal vaccination and its commitment to protecting Australians at risk of serious disease."

“It is wonderful to have the first treatment approved for this rare disease that significantly impacts children and their families,” said Sally Castle, CEO of the Liver Foundation.

Dr Bill Mezzanotte, CSL’s Head of Research and Development, said, “While we are disappointed in the outcome of the Article 20 procedure, we will respect the regulatory process and are committed to implementing it in full."

In the second instalment of a special series on how the Government and its key officials might approach the pending agreement negotiations with industry bodies, which could formally get underway tomorrow, we discuss the importance of reading actions over words.

You know we have a problem when the minister highlights as an example of the PBS ‘at its best’ a therapy that has never been evaluated for the PBS, is not reimbursed by it, took three years to be funded by another program and was the one he previously admitted was evidence of a ‘clunky’ system responsible for avoidable deaths.

The department says estimates suggest that saving just 10 minutes per GP per day could translate to about 4.3 million additional consultations a year. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners estimated roughly 40 per cent of GPs were using AI scribes as of November 2025.

Novo Nordisk has announced that two therapies will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme on 1 July, expanding subsidised options for Australians with endocrine conditions.

Far from being 'the PBS at its best', as the minister suggests, the therapy is an example of our system at its absolute worst, and not just because it is not even funded via the program. How many people died waiting during the three years it took for our ossified HTA institution and decision-making processes to get their act together for these patients?

Under the deal, Arrotex will lead regulatory engagement, market access strategy, commercialisation planning and national distribution across all approved and future indications, including multiple cancers.

In the negotiation for the current agreements, which will expire in mid-2027, one target was off-patent originator biologics that had not seen any meaningful price disclosure reductions. The Government and its officials might have new targets in the upcoming negotiation.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia says the latest 'Ambulance Ramping Report Card' released by the Australian Medical Association reinforces the need for governments to improve access to timely, community-based healthcare and make better use of the country's highly skilled health workforce

A national report commissioned by Abbott Diabetes. warns that failing to expand access to continuous glucose monitoring technology will increase pressure on Australians living with diabetes, hospitals and the wider healthcare system.

After nearly three years of advocating for a stronger system while publicly supporting the Health Technology Assessment Review, the association now appears to accept that the process is failing to deliver.

Medicines New Zealand CEO Dr Graeme Jarvis said the country’s position stands out sharply. “Many of the countries performing far better than New Zealand are similar in terms of economic strength and, in some cases, population size, so being a 'small' or 'poor' country is not a credible excuse.”

Over the past two decades, the number of Australians living with diabetes has tripled. Roughly 1.3 million people have type 2 diabetes today, and an estimated 500,000 remain undiagnosed. The condition now drives 2.3 per cent of total health expenditure and is responsible for roughly 1.2 hospital admissions each year.

This logic has manifested in the newly released guidance to companies interested in pursuing a broad listing for cancer immunotherapies. An expectation of no net cost. Patients, you waited nine years for this, and it was granted on the basis that your treatment cost the government nothing. That is what your life is worth.

Mark Butler's pathway to reforming the National Disability Insurance Scheme just got harder following the Albanese Government's deal to secure the Greens' agreement for the first tranche of tax changes.