'The Facts'

Shadow Health Minister Senator Anne Ruston moved a motion requiring Health Minister Mark Butler to present by midday today a range of documents related to the decision to defer almost 50 PBAC submissions.

The outgoing Biden administration is proposing a dramatic expansion in funded access to anti-obesity therapies for people covered by government programs Medicare and Medicaid.

An outbreak of whooping cough in Queensland following a significant decline in immunisation has resulted in the death of a two-month-old infant.

Australian-supported research recently published in three leading medical journals has confirmed positive Phase 3 clinical trial results for a triple combination that could revolutionise the management and treatment of high blood pressure.

Australian clinical-stage biotechnology company Vaxxas has expanded its global intellectual property portfolio to 42 patents, supporting its exclusive claim to manufacture and sell its proprietary vaccination technology, the HD-MAP, in the US, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Australian medicinal cannabis company Montu has announced the appointment of experienced industry executive Jodies Thomas as its vice president of corporate affairs and patient advocacy.

Australian antiviral drug development company Island Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX:ILA) has announced that ISLA-101 has shown safety and anti-dengue activity in the Phase 2a cohort of the PROTECT Phase 2a/b trial.

PBAC chair Professor Robyn Ward AM will front the Senate's Community Affairs committee this afternoon to answer questions about the decision to defer almost 50 submissions to the committee's March 2025 meeting.

The biggest and most comprehensive analysis of GLP-1 receptor agonists on kidney and cardiovascular outcomes shows that they significantly benefit people with and without diabetes.

“This is an exciting milestone for our organisation. We now have an established, dedicated space in the hub of the city surrounded by the energy and excitement of being in a CBD,” said Bilal Somra, the managing director of Organon.  

The HTA Review recommended including climate impact in reimbursement decisions, but a new report produced by the health department shows that might be premature, finding that local research on climate change and health interventions is close to non-existent.

Although the message was not as clear as that delivered by a previous minister, the transcript is a must-read because it frames the HTA Review as a trade-off to be negotiated.