Comment

One of the first things a newly-appointed health minister does is delegate their vast legislated decision-makers to officials in their department.

The US FDA has approved Mesoblast's Ryoncil (remestemcel-L-rknd) for treating steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (SR-aGVHD) in pediatric patients 2 months and older.

“As climate-related disasters increase, our role is of heightened importance in reaching impacted communities during emergencies such as cyclone, flood or bushfire," said NPSA Chair Richard Vincent

It is a decision that has 'broken the seal' on a long-held principle that has indisputably contributed to Australians having high public confidence in the health technologies they are administered. It is an awful decision because when the Government funds a health technology, the community makes certain assumptions that are now at risk.

Besides seriously undermining one of the world's most highly regarded regulatory agencies, stakeholders should consider the logical extension of this decision, not least for patient safety and public confidence in the health system.

Race Oncology (ASX:RAC) has announced the appointment of experienced biotechnology executive Dr Megan Baldwin to its board as an independent non-executive director.

The Albanese Government says it has provided $2.5 billion for new and amended listings on the PBS since the 2024-25 Budget with higher payments to the program partially driven by higher prescription volumes.

“If you have ovarian cancer, ask your oncologist to consider a test that will help determine whether your cancer is one of just under 50 per cent that might be responsive to new treatment options such as PARP inhibitors," says cancer researcher Professor Anna deFazio.

Australian biotechnology company Cartherics, which is developing immune cell therapies for cancer and other diseases, has been awarded a US$300,000 G-Rex grant to support clinical manufacturing of its lead product CTH-401 for upcoming clinical trials.

The scientists behind Australia’s first locally developed mRNA COVID-19 vaccine candidate have published a preclinical study demonstrating the vaccine's potential to overcome the issue of ‘immune imprinting.’

According to the Auditor General, "In 2021, Health (Department of Health and Aged Care) estimated that 640,000 patients become eligible for the Safety Net each year but do not apply, foregoing $100 million in medicine subsidies."

The document confirms that Health Minister Mark Butler will direct its prioritisation of the HTA Review's 50 recommendations. "The Minister will provide to the IAG an initial list of recommendations from the HTA Review for priority consideration and may direct the IAG on its work plan from time to time," it says.