Other Health

For the first time in its 13-year history, Rare Cancers Australia has appointed an official patron to represent the organisation and support its agenda focused on people diagnosed with rare or less common cancers.

In a week of strange claims propagated by PBS conspiracy theorists, these have added to what is now a motherload of bad ideas currently infecting the public discussion on medicines and health technologies.

Australian life sciences company (ASX:OPT) has reported negative outcomes from its pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial involving the combination of its sozinibercept with Bayer's EYLEA (aflibercept) for treating wet age-related macular degeneration.

Health Minister Mark Butler effectively endorsed industry criticism of PBS decision-making during a radio interview on Monday, citing Australia's 'old' HTA system as responsible and expressing sorrow over long waits for patients wanting funded access to new medicines.

The conspiracy theorists point to a published submission, which has remained mostly unchanged for a decade, now advocating that the Australian Government implement the recommendations of a report it commissioned and led. As far as conspiracy theories go, it's remarkably transparent and unambitious.

Patient organisations have renewed calls for change to protect the nearly half a million eligible Australians missing out on cheaper prescription medicines.

University of Queensland researchers are designing nanotechnology they believe could improve how we treat the most aggressive form of breast cancer.

In the words of George Orwell, “But if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought.” Be under no illusion that the confected outrage on PhRMA's two-month-old submission, virtually unchanged in a decade, is a lazy ideological dog whistle that risks poisoning the well and corrupting any thoughtful dialogue on PBS reform.

“I am honoured to be appointed as Chair of Medicines Australia and I look forward to working with the Medicines Australia Board and Executive to continue championing the latest advancements in medicine, and advocating for patients to have fast, universal access to new treatments."

A total victory for pharmacy with the prime minister's appearance at their showcase annual event. We discuss the confected outrage over US interest in the PBS, which is hardly new, and why the industry needs to lead this debate because its reputation and change agenda are being trashed.

Cystic Fibrosis NZ says the path is clear for Pharmac to expand access to Vertex's TRIKAFTA for aged two to five following a new Medsafe approval.

Less than 100 hours ago, Health Minister Mark Butler boasted of his need to 'nudge' HTA processes he had previously described as "clunky" and responsible for preventable deaths. He now defends the inviolability of the system against criticism from the US-based industry that parrots his own. Confused?