'The changes could cause irreversible damage to our vibrant and world-leading biotech, medtech and health tech sector'

At what point does the sector understand that two decades of an obsessive focus on HTA, its arcane processes and technical inputs, have failed to deliver for patients? Surely, it's time for a new approach and a different discussion focused on taking back some control.

Health Minister Mark Butler is facing a difficult road with his signature reform of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, as state and territory ministers oppose key aspects of the enabling legislation.

The awards dinner held during the ARCS Annual Conference in Sydney marked the first time the prizes were presented under the LifeSciences Australia brand following the organisation’s evolution from ARCS.

ARCS has announced it is now LifeSciences Australia, with the name change part of a strategic push to better support professionals across the expanding life sciences sector.

Sigma, the Australian healthcare wholesaler and owner of the discount pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse, has signalled its interest in purchasing the UK-based pharmacy group Boots, according to an investor update.

CEO and Managing Director Dr David Foster said, “The expansion of our CRADA with USAMRIID and Geneva represents a major strategic milestone for Island and positions the Company to undertake the efficacy study prior to the pivotal study for Galidesivir.”

Concern over the potential impact of the Trump administration's 'Most Favored Nation' pharmaceutical pricing policy is not confined to countries outside the United States.

The Australian company has announced that the US Food and Drug Administration has granted Fast Track Designation to its allogeneic CAR T candidate.

GSK's global leader, who started his industry career in Australia in 1995, has made his first major acquisition since his appointment with a US$10.6 billion acquisition of the US oncology-focused company.

A new national modelling report prepared by HTANALYSTS on behalf of the Pharmacy Guild suggests a practical pathway to easing pressure on Australia’s strained primary care system by empowering pharmacists to prescribe for appropriate conditions.

“We want to work with the Government to get these policy settings right and at speed so we can give Australia’s biotech, medtech and health tech companies the policy certainty they need to continue to thrive. We just need Government to meet us at the table,” said AusBiotech CEO Rebekah Cassidy.

Omico’s development and growth in precision oncology, recently boosted by significant funding in the 2026-27 Budget, is also producing a substantial library of patient-level data that demonstrates that genomic profiling of tumours changes lives and could reshape how Australia funds and delivers cancer care.

When we recorded this week’s podcast on the history of industry agreements with the Australian Government, we unintentionally focused the discussion on what drives agreements from the Government’s perspective. It might have been a habit.

Kate Vines has been recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List and appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the General Division for significant service to community health through cancer support.

Nobody suggests that the plethora of regular changes to medicine prices, both increases and decreases, including to ensure ongoing subsidised access, undermines or ‘threatens’ the PBS. Governments respond to external realities that impact the PBS almost monthly. If it has to respond to the MFN threat through pricing policies, who cares? Just do it. The more they deny this reality, the harder it will become.

Sandoz has produced a paper from a biosimilar-focused summit it hosted in Canberra in March, including proposals that aim to increase the uptake of biosimilar medicines.

Opthea, once one of Australia's most important emerging biotechnology companies, has announced it will redirect the development of OPT-302 to lymphangioleiomyomatosis, or LAM, a rare pulmonary disease with significant unmet need.

Health Department officials told a Senate Estimates hearing yesterday that they are monitoring the US 'Most Favored Nation' pharmaceutical pricing policy closely, developing responses as necessary, and continue to see a steady stream of submissions and reimbursement outcomes.

Two large statewide trials led by the University of Newcastle have shown that pharmacist-led services can safely and effectively manage uncomplicated urinary tract infections and supply oral contraceptives for women, improving timely access to care and ensuring referral to GPs when clinically required.