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Our Role
Our Vision
A leader in positive health outcomes, productivity and economic growth through the availability of innovative prescription medicines.
Our Mission
In partnership with key stakeholders, drive the creation and development of an environment for the continued, sustainable growth of the innovative and research based prescription medicines industry.
Key Result Areas
Image - understanding, engaging and positively influencing our operating environment and key stakeholders.
Access - policy development and collaboration to enhance access and reimbursement outcomes, achieve optimal regulation, and ensure long term funding sustainability.
Innovation - measures to underpin continuing industry development, stimulate R&D investment, and protect IP.
Ethical conduct - demonstrated industry adherence to ACCC authorised standards of ethical conduct in the marketing of prescription medicines.
Leadership - maintenance of industry unity; comprehensive governance arrangements; capacity to effectively manage strategic, routine and crisis events.
Strategic Priorities
1. Achieve credibility with, and obtain the trust of, key stakeholders
2. Continuously improve access to innovative medicines
3. Achieve an optimal environment for sustainable innovation
4. Maintain a high standard of ethical industry conduct through effective self regulation
5. Demonstrate leadership as a model pharmaceutical industry association
Background
Medicines Australia is the national association representing the innovative medicines industry in Australia. Member companies represent more than 80 percent of the prescription market and are engaged in the research, development, manufacture, marketing and export of prescription medicines.
In partnership with key stakeholders Medicines Australia strives to drive the creation and development of a positive environment for the sustainable growth of the innovative and research-based prescription medicines industry.
Medicines Australia is committed to enhancing the health of all Australians by providing timely and universal access to medicines of the highest quality, safety and efficacy.
A viable, diverse, research-based pharmaceutical industry operating in a competitive health care market is essential to achieving optimal patient health and wellbeing, while making a significant contribution to the Australian economy. As a prime example of a high technology, knowledge-intensive industry, it is a major contributor to employment growth and export expansion.
Medicines Australia promotes the interests of the industry by encouraging a favourable investment environment, working on behalf of its members in an advocacy and consultative capacity with government and non-government organisations in Australia and overseas.
Successful Co-Regulation
Medicines Australia's Code of Conduct for advertising and promotion of pharmaceutical products has been internationally recognised for its effectiveness in regulating these activities.
Adherence to the Code of Conduct is a requirement of membership of Medicines Australia.
The Code of Conduct Committee, with medical, legal and consumer representatives, has the power to direct withdrawal of advertising, require letters of clarification and impose company fines, for breaches of the Code.
Government relations
Members of Medicines Australia and the Medicines Australia Secretariat remain in close contact with Members of Parliament and Government Departments to monitor activities and promote policy options to ensure the continuation of a viable pharmaceutical industry.
Working with consumers
The pharmaceutical industry is committed to enhancing its relationship with health consumers. Medicines Australia will continue to actively engage with key consumer groups to better understand their needs and issues. It is important that there is increased collaboration with consumers and awareness that medicines save lives, relieve pain, cure and prevent disease.
The ‘Working Together’ Guide and Supplementary Materials, which has been jointly developed by the peak health consumer body, the Consumers’ Health Forum of Australia and Medicines Australia, is designed as a reference tool offering basic principles and suggestions that can be adapted to suit the individual needs of organisations.
Working with health professionals
Medicines Australia regularly liaise with other health professional organisations to mutually keep each other up to date with developments in healthcare, and to discuss issues of mutual concern.
Education within the health field
The Continuing Education Program, administered by Medicines Australia, is a compulsory education program for all medical representatives employed in the industry in order to ensure an adequate level of medical and scientific knowledge. This in turn assists health professionals by ensuring that their questions will be appropriately responded to by representatives.
Medicines Australia provides briefings and publications to educate the general community about the industry in Australia.
In these education activities, Medicines Australia strongly supports the Government's National Medicines Policy's call for appropriate and rational use of medicines.
Medicines Australia as a health resource
For its member companies, the Medicines Australia Secretariat provides a wide range of services, including:
- Briefing on policy initiatives and issues
- Representations to government on behalf of industry
- Representing the industry at relevant health, medical and research activities
- Providing specialist advice to member companies
- Educating the community about industry activities
Scientific and health care expertise
The Medicines Australia Secretariat and its member companies contribute experience and expertise through participation in a wide range of activities, including membership of advisory committees and participation in health and industry policy development.