More evidence backs the use of weight-loss therapies

Mr Perreault was the CEO and managing director of CSL from 2013 to 2023, leading the organisation to become the fifth largest biotechnology company in the world.

Advara HeartCare, the world’s largest single group of cardiologists, has joined forces with Novartis and TerryWhite Chemmart to form The Heart Health Collective.

"I am deeply thankful to our First Nations Advisors for all their time and wisdom, trust and vouching," said Leigh Simmonds, Pfizer Australia RAP Champion and senior manager for patient advocacy.

According to the results of a new survey commissioned by Medicines Australia, around one in six Australians have been unable to pay for needed medical services.

Moderna's government-backed mRNA manufacturing facility has officially opened in Melbourne as the only one of its type in the Southern Hemisphere.

“We are in a cost-of-living crisis and in the face of financial stress and gender inequality, the Greens will take to the election a commitment to provide women with free access to contraceptives," said Senator Larissa Waters.

In their written responses to the recommendations, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee and Medical Services Advisory Committee have blithely ignored these community concerns in that Marie-Antoinette 'let them eat cake' way.

London Agency has expanded its government affairs offering by recruiting former crossbench staffer Kaya Hill.

The most insidious aspect of their responses is the effect, which is to create a public barrier against meaningful reform, and means the health minister and their ministerial colleagues will need to go against committees they generally eulogise to deliver the change wanted by so many stakeholders. Frankly, who cares what these servants of the system think?

The two advisory committees have delivered less than enthusiastic support for faster access to new health technologies in their responses to the HTA review.

Its response was delivered to Health Minister MarkButler in October. Its support for a prioritisation system coincided with the decision to defer the evaluation of dozens of submissions to its March 2025 meeting.

A new report commissioned by AbbVie has found that of the one in two Australians living with a chronic health condition, over one-third have left a job due to their condition.

MA has restated its disappointment at the health department's failure to consult on the attempt to defer submissions from consideration at the March PBAC meeting following the release of advice that shows officials advised Mark Butler it was "critical" to "mitigate" the reputational risks to the government.

AusBiotech CEO Rebekah Cassidy expressed support for the review, emphasising the need for a unified approach to enhance Australia's R&D ecosystem.

“We want to build a world-class health system, and that requires access to world-class medicines," said New Zealand's Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac, David Seymour,

"To be clear, the first time you officially notified the minister or his office that there was a potential problem with the capacity of the March 2025 PBAC meeting was 9 October?" asked the shadow health minister. We now know that the official's response, "That's correct", was incorrect.

"Women are suffering unnecessarily. They’re having their experiences dismissed, being called hysterical and accused of drug shopping. Women’s pain is real and it’s time we stop telling women to just suck it up," said Health Minister Mark Butler.

Documents tabled in the Senate today raised serious questions about the information provided on PBAC deferrals at Senate Estimates. The advice to Mark Butler indicates the committee's chair may have been indirectly involved in formulating the plan, that the department is legally required to evaluate submissions lodged for March regardless of capacity constraints, and that officials did not consult the industry as directed.