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Pfizer and its partner BioNTech have submitted data showing their mRNA vaccine can be stored at temperatures commonly found in standard pharmaceutical refrigerators and freezers. Data from the first real-world study of the vaccine has also confirmed it was around 95 per cent effective at preventing COVID-19 infection. The study was conducted in Israel.

The federal government left fundamental components of the national COVID-19 vaccine rollout strategy until virtually the last moment meaning the health system may have been significantly under-prepared for the launch.

A coronial inquest in NZ investigating a number of deaths has heard many epilepsy patients and even their doctors were not told they had been forcibly switched onto a new brand.

A major breakthrough for patients with a much-anticipated new biologic to be listed on the PBS from 1 March.

A new strategic partnership between established market access consultancy Health Technology Analysts and the recently launched firm Concord Pharmaceutical Consulting.

The parliamentary inquiry into the approval processes for new medicines and medical technologies will launch a number of public hearings in March.

It is going to be an interesting few months if governments demand meetings of the National Cabinet in response to every adverse event or incorrect administration of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Cochlear, a global leader in implantable hearing solutions, has received US FDA clearance and CE Mark accreditation for the Baha 6 Max Sound Processor.

Opthea (ASX:OPT) says it has finalised the protocol study designs and key start-up activities in readiness for the initiation of the phase three ShORe and COAST pivotal clinical trials of OPT-302 in wet age-related macular degeneration.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a "material effect" on the performance of the private health insurance sector in 2020, says the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.

Medibank has announced its result for the six months to the end of December 2020 highlighting policyholder growth of 49,000 across its portfolio of brands.

Medibank CEO Craig Drummond will retire from the company at the end of June having led the company for five years.