News of the Day

"These four medicines listings are part of the Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines when they need them most," said health minister Greg Hunt.

The information from market intelligence firm NostraData has revealed the extent to which the prescribing and dispensing of medicines spiked in just a few weeks from mid-February to March.

Some of the pharmaceutical sector's key representative groups have gone to the competition regulator seeking interim authorisations allowing collaboration on medicines supply during the COVID-19 crisis.

A company currently leading in the race to produce a vaccine says it could be available to some health workers before the end of 2020 while 15 global biopharmaceutical companies have announced a COVID-19 collaboration.

Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy will remain in the role until the end of June to play a leading role in guiding the national response to COVID-19.

The challenge to the supply of medicines in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve with the focus broadening from the local to now include the global.

Officials are working on arrangements to ensure the July meeting of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee proceeds, potentially in a virtual setting.

A challenging past week for the pharmaceutical sector with competition for supply and a left-field demand from one state government. Yet 'challenge' is expected to become the norm as the direct impact of COVID-19 hits Australia.

Health minister Greg Hunt, his advisers and officials will give revised CSO contracts and the move to empower pharmacists with the 'strong word of the Minister' time before undertaking any further action.

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Under the proposal, which would require legislative change at both federal and state level, a protocol would be established under which pharmacists would be permitted to substitute medicines from the same class where the prescribed medicine is not available.

Work from home rules, limiting contact with sales representatives, wholesalers are actively managing supply and Roche's new COVID-19 diagnostic will arrive in Australia tomorrow.