Joint Policy Conference 2006

 Download the Outcomes of the 2006 Joint Policy Conference 

 Download the Progress report from August 2007

About the Joint Medicines Policy Conference

Medicines Australia and the Department of Health and Ageing held a Joint Medicines Policy Conference on 13-14 July 2006 at the University of New South Wales in Sydney.

The objectives of the conference were to identify key issues and challenges facing all medicines stakeholders, including the Government and the pharmaceutical industry, in relation to long term PBS sustainability and access to medicines, quality use of medicines, medical technology assessment and biologicals and vaccines, and identify opportunities for progress.

The Program and guest speakers covered a range of policy issues and discussion was good throughout the panel sessions. The four areas covered by the Conference were the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the Quality Use of Medicines, evaluating medicines including biologicals and vaccines.

The Conference secured 296 registrants and representation from 119 organisations. Conference attendees included representatives from the various industry sectors, government departments, consumer groups, pharmacists, medical practitioners, medical researchers, academics and international visitors.

Serono Symposium International was appointed as the conference organisers and handled the logistics of the conference including organising venues, speakers and registrations.

A key result of the Conference was a commitment from Medicines Australia and the Department of Health and Ageing to agree to work collaboratively on four key areas of medicines policy: Targeted Therapies, Standards of evidence and transparency, Quality Use of Medicines and Consumer involvement. The intent is to find ways together to resolve the issues.

Medicines Australia and the Department of Health and Ageing are currently in discussions over how to take forward the outcomes of the Conference. The outcomes of the Conference will be released shortly.

Conference presentations include:

• The PBS and the National Medicines Policy – Lloyd Sansom
• Balancing Supply and Demand of Medicines: Lessons from the Canadian Experience – Jill Sanders
• Overview of the Quality Use of Medicines: Vital component of successful PBS – Ric Day (not available)
• Issues and Trends in Pharmacoeconomic Evaluation – Ron Akehurst
• The Australian experience of evaluation medicines – Tony Harris (not available)
• Genomics and Biologicals: What does the Future Hold for Targeted Therapies – Ross McKinnon
• New arrangements for vaccines: ATAGI and PBAC – Terry Nolan
  

Joint Medicines Policy Conference on 13-14 July 2006
at the University of New South Wales in Sydney.

 Download the Final Program and Abstracts

For more information on the Medicines Australia & Department of Health and Ageing Joint Policy Conference please email your request to info@medicinesaustralia.com.au.