News of the Day

Health Minister Mark Butler has explicitly linked the negotiation of new industry agreements with the implementation of outcomes of the Health Technology Assessment Review.

Gareth Richmond, Business Unit Leader for Cardiometabolic Health at Eli Lilly Australia and New Zealand, said the study answers an important question about what happens to body weight over time once initial treatment-related weight loss has been achieved.

CEO Nikki Lorenz said the Budget provides a strong platform to build on, particularly as Australia looks to balance access with long-term supply security.

There is no shortage of reasons to challenge the minister over his handling of the HTA Review. Yet, nobody would argue it is in any way inconsistent with his predecessors. In fairness to Mr Butler, he has been very transparent about his actions.

Advocates for people living with diabetes expressed disappointment after the 2026–27 Federal Budget made no new commitments to improving care for the condition that affects millions of Australians.

The forum convened CEOs, general managers and directors of operations to focus on building capability, resilience and collaboration across the onshore medical manufacturing ecosystem.

The forecast for spending on pharmaceutical benefits in 2025-26, which is just 8 weeks from finalisation, is $5.6 billion higher than it was four years ago, assuming most of that growth will be offset by rebates. This is not to defend the status quo but to encourage accuracy.

The new investment will fund free comprehensive genomic profiling of tumour DNA for Australians with advanced or incurable cancers and support matching to advanced treatments and clinical trials.

The Albanese Government confirmed its decision to defer the bigger decisions, or any decisions, on the Health Technology Assessment Review and signalled a push to lock in new cost‑recovery and agreement arrangements within the next 12 months. A vaguely worded commitment on biosimilars.

The collapse of Australia's Health Technology Assessment Review into a laughable but deeply cynical 'Delphi' process has exposed a hard truth. Change advocates are simply wasting their time engaging this institution from the inside.

Dr Ross Murdoch joins the board as an independent non-executive director, bringing more than 30 years of global pharmaceutical and biotechnology experience, as well as direct involvement in neurology and neurodegenerative disease programs.

Measures could include modest additional funding for the Health Department to prepare to implement new processes or provide support. It might not.