New report indicates COVID-19 vaccines saved Australia’s economy

New report indicates COVID-19 vaccines saved Australia’s economy

19 December 2022: Medicines Australia welcomes the latest peer-reviewed research paper indicating the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccinations significantly reduced the economic impact of the pandemic.

CEO of Medicines Australia, Elizabeth de Somer said the paper – titled The Value of Vaccines: A Tale of Two Parts in Vaccines – demonstrates the benefit of fast access to medical innovations and points to the need for reform to our medicines assessment system so we are prepared for the next health challenges.

“Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic was a historic collective effort between the medicines industry, scientists, governments, and many individuals right across our health sector,” Ms de Somer said.

“This peer-reviewed paper confirms that the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations – and the large, collaborative effort behind it – not only improved health outcomes for individuals, but had a dramatic positive impact across our economy, including the tourism and education sectors, employment and government finances.

“COVID-19 vaccines are estimated to have reduced the impact of the pandemic on the economy to an estimated $214 billion, resulting in a positive incremental benefit of $181 billion.

“This study also demonstrates the value of the wider, flow-on effects of vaccines that should be considered when the Government assesses the supply of medicines for our population.

“Australia’s assessment process does not adequately include the broader social and economic impacts of vaccines, medicines and treatments.

“The paper indicates that if the COVID-19 vaccines had followed the current formal Australian Government assessment processes – known as a health technology assessment (HTA) – Australians would have been waiting a long time. More lives would have been lost and our economy would have suffered.

“There is an intrinsic link between healthy people and a healthy economy.

“Preventative health measures, such as vaccinations, are clearly an investment in the prosperity of our nation.

“Our industry is committed to working with Government to ensure Australians have rapid access to the latest medical innovations as soon as they have been approved as safe and effective.

“We cannot afford possibly deadly delays,” Ms de Somer said.

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For further information or media interviews, please contact:
Chrystianna Moran – 0424 995 118 / chrystianna.moran@medicinesaustralia.com.au

ABOUT THE STUDY

Biointelect in conjunction with the Centre of Policy Studies, Victoria University developed the peer-reviewed publication The Value of Vaccines: A Tale of Two Parts. The publication estimated the economic impact of population-wide COVID-19 vaccination rollout in Australia for the period January 2020 to June 2023 and compared international health technology assessment (HTA) approaches to assessing the value of vaccines, along with recent efforts to consider broader Health Technology Assessment (HTA) valuation frameworks to capture the true value of medical interventions.

The funding for this research, including for model development, analysis, and medical writing, was provided by Pfizer Australia. The Article Processing Charge (APC) was funded by Pfizer Australia. The Value of Vaccines: A Tale of Two Parts was published online in Vaccines on 30 November 2022 and is available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10122057.

COVID-19 vaccine procurement review says rapid access to vaccines and treatments key to ongoing protection of Australians

COVID-19 vaccine procurement review says rapid access to vaccines and treatments key to ongoing protection of Australians

27 September 2022: Medicines Australia welcomes the independent review of Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine and treatment procurements by Professor Jane Halton AO PSM – a highly respected former senior public official, chair of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and co-chair of the COVAX initiative.

The review has made eight recommendations that will inform the future purchasing and procurement of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

CEO of Medicines Australia, Elizabeth de Somer, says the next phase of the pandemic will bring about its own set of challenges and the medicines industry will continue to rapidly deliver vaccines and treatments to Australians.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us the importance of having fast access to innovative vaccines and treatments,” Ms de Somer said.

“Australia now has a high vaccination rate against COVID-19, but we must not drop our guard. Maximum vaccinations and treatments will help protect the vulnerable, reduce the strain on our hospitals, lower mortality rates and support the recovery of our economy.

“Today’s report by Professor Halton highlights the importance of clear advisory structures, contemporary policy settings and evidence-based decision making to support effective management in an emergency.

“Medicines Australia and our members remain steadfast to continue our partnership with Government, working together with supply chain, clinicians, pharmacists, and patients to ensure Australia’s health system is fit-for-purpose and accelerates access to innovative medicines, vaccines and treatments that save and change lives.  

“Now is an ideal time to implement the critical bold reforms that are urgently needed to ensure our systems are not only ready for the next health crisis, but ready for the next breakthrough innovation that is on the cusp of discovery.

“The upcoming review of Australia’s Health Technology Assessment (HTA) provides a perfect opportunity to bring in a new era of healthcare and to introduce streamlined ways to support fast access to innovative treatments such as the COVID-19 vaccine,” Ms de Somer said.

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For further information or media interviews, please contact:
Chrystianna Moran – 0424 995 118 / chrystianna.moran@medicinesaustralia.com.au
Margaret Cresswell – 0410 456 293 / margaret.cresswell@medicinesaustralia.com.au

Medicines industry working to minimise medicine supply shortages

Medicines industry working to minimise medicine supply shortages

22 July 2022: Medicines Australia and the Generic and Biosimilars Medicines Association (GBMA) are deeply concerned about medicine shortages that impact patients and have been working closely with the Government and stakeholders to minimise supply issues throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The TGA currently has listed 47 medicines that are experiencing critical shortages, with many having limited availability.

CEO of Medicines Australia, Elizabeth de Somer, said the ongoing issues of medicine shortages formed a significant part of the recent Strategic Agreements with the Commonwealth Government.

“Every Australian should be able to receive the life changing medicines they are prescribed without delay.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated how good health is fundamentally linked to community wellbeing and a thriving economy. Any interruptions to the supply of medicines could have critical impacts on Australians’ health and flow on effects for our community.

“The pandemic has highlighted the complexities and vulnerabilities in global medicine supply chains and has increased the focus on medicine shortages in Australia,” said Ms de Somer.

Marnie Peterson, CEO of the GBMA, said members of the medicines sector in Australia were increasing their medicine stockholdings and aim to introduce additional security in supply of medicines.

“Under new industry Strategic Agreements with the Federal Government, pharmaceutical companies will be empowered to build a buffer of four to six months’ worth of supply for many medicines that are susceptible to shortages.

“New stockholding requirements will help guard against future shortages of these medicines and ensure patients continue to have enough supply of essential treatments,” said Ms Peterson.

Both Ms de Somer and Ms Peterson said the Australian medicines industry has worked tirelessly to maintain consistent supplies, responded rapidly to unexpected increases in demand and continues to implement strategies wherever possible to minimise medicine supply issues.

“We have continued to work closely with the TGA throughout the pandemic and have strengthened the understanding and management of disruptions to medicines supplies. These lessons must inform the approach to managing shortages of all medicines into the future,” said Ms de Somer.

Medicines Australia and the GBMA were granted authorisation by the ACCC during the pandemic to enable a coordinated strategy in relation to the supply of essential medicines and related devices in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ACCC authorisation for Medicines Australia and GBMA is due to expire on 30 September 2022 and both organisations are considering the potential need for the authorisation to continue. Read more about the authorisation on the Medicines Australia website.

<< Read previous: ACCC helps to protect Australians against medicine shortages caused by COVID-19

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Media enquiries: 

Medicines Australia: Chrystianna Moran – 0424 995 118 / chrystianna.moran@medicinesaustralia.com.au 

GBMA: Jannette Cotterell – 0419 204 059 / jcotterell@executivecounsel.com.au 

About Medicines Australia 

Medicines Australia leads the research-based medicines industry of Australia. Its members discover, develop and manufacture prescription pharmaceutical products, biotherapeutic products and vaccines that bring health, social and economic benefits to Australia. its members invest in Australian medical research and take local discoveries and developments to the world. 

About the GBMA 

The Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA) is the peak representative body of generic and biosimilar medicine suppliers in Australia. 

Its members ensure that all Australians are offered high quality generic and biosimilar medicines, whilst providing affordable community health outcomes that benefit all Australians. 

IP waiver for COVID vaccines is a threat to future innovation

IP waiver for COVID vaccines is a threat to future innovation

20 June 2022: The decision to waive intellectual property (IP) protections for COVID-19 vaccines is fundamentally flawed and will have a negative impact on future innovation.

Medicines Australia is disappointed by the decision made at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva, to adopt an IP waiver – known as the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver – for COVID-19 vaccines.

Medicines Australia CEO, Elizabeth de Somer, said intellectual property is one of the key reasons why multiple safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines could be produced and scaled up so quickly during the height of the pandemic.

“This decision from the WTO Ministerial Conference has disregarded the evidence and distracts from the real barriers that are getting in the way of vaccinating more people around the world.

“Since the start of the pandemic, strong IP frameworks have supported pharmaceutical companies, scientists, researchers and manufacturers to create safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines in record time.

“This week’s decision sends a dangerous message to our community of amazing researchers and innovators that the intellectual property of their discoveries is a barrier to the pandemic response, when this is absolutely untrue.

“The emergence of COVID-19 variants and the threat of other future health pandemics mean we should be protecting the systems that enable medical innovation, not tearing them down.

“The TRIPS waiver pulls apart the very system that supported the fastest development of vaccines and enabled unprecedented collaboration and partnerships.

“More disappointing is the fact that the WTO has not adequately addressed the real reasons that vaccines are not getting to the people that need them; trade, dose-sharing, distribution and country readiness for administration,” Ms de Somer said.

Read the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) statement about the TRIPS endorsement at the WTO Ministerial Conference here.

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For further information or media interviews, please contact:
Chrystianna Moran – 0424 995 118 / chrystianna.moran@medicinesaustralia.com.au
John Flannery – 0419 494 761 / john.flannery@medicinesaustralia.com.au

<< Read previous: IP waiver for COVID vaccines misses the mark in vaccinating the world

IP waiver for COVID vaccines misses the mark in vaccinating the world

IP waiver for COVID vaccines misses the mark in vaccinating the world

14 June 2022: Vaccinating the world remains a priority and proposals to weaken the intellectual property (IP) for COVID-19 vaccines are unnecessary, as this will not increase vaccination rates around the world.

This week, discussions at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva, to introduce an IP waiver – known as the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver – in the “Quad compromise”, takes precious attention away from more effective actions needed to increase vaccinations in our poorest nations.

Medicines Australia CEO, Elizabeth de Somer, says only 17.8%[1] of people in low-income countries have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, but there is no evidence that IP is a barrier to vaccine production or access.

“The TRIPS argument has dragged on internationally without evidence and is being used as a political football which distracts and detracts from real action that can make a real difference.

“Globally, there are enough COVID-19 vaccines to protect those who need it most, but frustratingly, this is not the reality.

“This is not a supply problem; this is a distribution problem.

“Worldwide, equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine is the best chance we have at slowing down the pandemic and saving lives.

“We now must overcome these hurdles to increase vaccination rates in low-income countries, including for our closest neighbour, Papua New Guinea, who are struggling to reach a COVID-19 vaccination rate of 3%.

“To support these efforts, the international biopharmaceutical industry has committed to supporting governments improve in-country readiness, increasing dose sharing with middle- and low-income countries and prioritising research and innovation for the next generation of COVID-19 vaccines.

“Instead of political posturing, I urge governments to tackle the real challenges to COVID-19 vaccine access and hold a serious discussion about how we can strengthen global health security together.

“Undermining the very IP framework which enabled the fastest vaccine development in history will sadly only achieve the opposite,” Ms de Somer said.

This week, Ms de Somer will join more than 3,000 international and domestic leaders in health at the BIO International Convention in San Diego, California, which coincides with the timing of the WTO Ministerial Conference. Critical topics around the intersection of science and policy – such as global vaccine equity – are expected to be addressed.

Read the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) statement about the Quad compromise at the WTO Ministerial Conference here.

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For further information or media interviews, please contact:
Chrystianna Moran – 0424 995 118 / chrystianna.moran@medicinesaustralia.com.au
John Flannery – 0419 494 761 / john.flannery@medicinesaustralia.com.au


[1] https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations

Leaked TRIPS proposal misguided about improving global COVID-19 vaccination rates

Leaked TRIPS proposal misguided about improving global COVID-19 vaccination rates

24 March 2022: The leaked proposal on the waiver on intellectual property (IP) rights for COVID-19 vaccines is misguided and will not speed up access for world vaccination against the virus.

Medicines Australia CEO, Elizabeth de Somer, said the TRIPS proposal is unnecessary and irrelevant and will only weaken our IP systems.

“The TRIPS waiver is a distraction from taking action on issues that will actually help more people around the world to receive the COVID-19 vaccine,” Ms de Somer said.

“It has now been two years since the start of the pandemic and the issues of vaccine inequity could not be clearer. We must put our energy towards overcoming the obvious hurdles such as supporting country readiness, investing in initiatives such as COVAX for equitable vaccine distribution and addressing vaccine hesitancy.

“Strong and well-established IP laws and regulations have accelerated – not inhibited – the discovery and development of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

“This attempt to weaken IP will disincentivise research and development on innovative medicines, vaccines, and treatments, and have negative, unintended consequences for future pandemic preparedness.

“There is still a lot of work ahead of us if we are to tackle improving global vaccine rates, especially those in low-income countries.

“The World Health Organization has forecast there are now enough doses to achieve global vaccination targets. The focus must be on equitable distribution. We should not be distracted by the hollow noise of the TRIPS waiver.

“Medicines Australia continues to support practical, global efforts that will tackle COVID-19 vaccine inequity.

“We continue to encourage the Australian Government to bolster funding to initiatives such as COVAX and work in collaboration with our neighbours in the Indo-Pacific to increase vaccine rates.

“The recent commitment of $100 million from the Australian Government to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) will help the organisation control COVID-19 and battle future pandemics.

“As a nation that values generosity and mateship, the Australian Government must help improve low vaccination rates in low-income countries. This includes helping our closest neighbours in Papua New Guinea who still have a dangerously low vaccination rate of 2.75%,” Ms de Somer said.

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You can also further statements about the leaked TRIPS waiver from IFPMA (International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations) and ICBA (International Council of Biotechnology Associations).

For further information or media interviews, please contact:

Chrystianna Moran – 0424 995 118 / chrystianna.moran@medicinesaustralia.com.au.

John Flannery – 0419 494 761 / john.flannery@medicinesaustralia.com.au

BACKGROUND:

TRIPS is the agreement on Trade-Related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, which is an international legal agreement between all the member nations of the World Trade Organization.

ABOUT MEDICINES AUSTRALIA

Medicines Australia leads the research-based medicines industry of Australia. Our members discover, develop and manufacture prescription pharmaceutical products, biotherapeutic products and vaccines that bring health, social and economic benefits to Australia. Our members invest in Australian medical research and take local discoveries and developments to the world.

Our mission is to drive policy outcomes in partnership with government, health sector organisations and the community which will ensure Australians have universal, affordable, and fast access to treatments that keep pace with advancements in medicine.

COVID-19 pandemic sends clear message that Australia must value the long-term health of all Australians

COVID-19 pandemic sends clear message that Australia must value the long-term health of all Australians

21 February 2022:  Medicines Australia is warning that Australia must act now to ensure that our health system is resourced properly to deal with growing demand and to cope with inevitable future pandemics and health crises.

Medicines Australia CEO, Elizabeth de Somer, said that the global COVID-19 pandemic has sent a clear message that all nations must future-proof their health systems.

“We must prepare for the future. This will involve planning for a strong health workforce; health infrastructure; public health policy and strategy; medical technology; community education and information campaigns – and medicines,” Ms de Somer said.

“It is vital that we remove any disincentives to research and development of medicines, including vaccines and curative therapies, that will be needed in the years and decades ahead.

“Currently in Australia, the priority is on medicines that deliver an immediate or short-term benefit.

“Treatments that have a shorter-term benefit are economically valued higher than a treatment that has a longer or lifetime benefit. For example, a cancer treatment that may increase someone’s survival rate for an extra five years is valued more highly than a vaccine that will protect a child for the rest of their life.

“As a society, Australia must treat all these medicines – which save lives, extend lives, and protect quality of life – more equally.

“This can be achieved by a simple change in policy by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC).”

Medicines Australia has made a detailed submission – based on international best practice and experience – to the PBAC to change its position on this policy, which is known as the base discount rate.

Australia’s current discount rate has not been adjusted for more than 30 years to reflect the contemporary medical and health environment and does not align with international health technology assessment (HTA) best practice.

“Our high discount rate is ignoring the health needs of our future generations,” Ms de Somer said.

“Medicines Australia wants the PBAC to reduce Australia’s current discount rate of 5 per cent to 1.5 per cent, as recommended in countries such as Canada and England, to recognise the value of preventative treatments and cures, and speed up access to them.

“This would provide an incentive for research, development, and production of more new medicines that will be ready to deal with current, emerging, and future health conditions.

“It will better prepare our health system to deal with the complexities of future pandemics and other public health crises. It will strengthen the health system to allow it to save lives and improve the quality of life for our children and their children,” Ms de Somer said.

The Medicines Australia submission recommends an immediate change of the discount rate.

The Medicines Australia Submission to the PBAC on the Discount Rate is available at www.medicinesaustralia.com.au/policy/submissions.

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For further information or media interviews, please contact:
Chrystianna Moran – 0424 995 118 / chrystianna.moran@medicinesaustralia.com.au
John Flannery – 0419 494 761 / john.flannery@medicinesaustralia.com.au

>> Download fact sheet on discount rates

Background:

What is a discount rate?

Discount rates reflect how society values future outcomes compared to present outcomes. Many medicines, vaccines and treatments provide long-term health benefits. For example, a child receiving a polio vaccine will reap the benefits of that vaccine for the rest of their life. On the other hand, a new cancer treatment may increase someone’s survival rate for an extra 5 years. In Australia, the treatment that has a shorter-term benefit (the cancer treatment) is economically valued higher than a treatment that has a long or lifelong benefit.

For treatments that have long-term or lifelong benefits, a discount rate is applied, which means that the medicine is not valued as highly. The PBAC set the base discount rate at 5 per cent in 1990 with reference to Canada. Since that time, this discount rate hasn’t changed, despite other countries (including Canada and England), lowering base discount rates to make way for more preventative and curable medicines, vaccines, and treatments.

The discount rate is determined by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), whose primary role is to assess and recommend new medicines and treatments to be listed on the PBS. Part of the PBAC’s Health Technology Assessment (HTA) includes deciding whether a new medicine, vaccine, or treatment is safe and cost-effective compared to an existing treatment.

Why the discount rate needs to change

Our society and values have changed since 1990 and there is an increasing recognition of the importance of preventative healthcare. The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is just one example of the importance of preventative therapies.

If left unchanged, the discount rate will risk significantly reducing patient access to cutting edge therapies and affecting the long-term future health of generations of Australians, particularly young people who stand to benefit the most from preventative medicines early in their life.

In Australia, the 5 per cent discount rate has contributed to delays in accessing vital therapies – including vaccines for human papilloma virus (HPV) in adolescents, meningococcal disease in children and adolescents, zoster virus for 60-year-olds, and pneumococcal disease for adults, as well as medicines to treat hepatitis C, and treatments for spinal muscular atrophy in children.

Health and medical innovation is advancing faster than we have ever seen before, in particular when it comes to preventative treatments. Australia can’t afford to miss out on these new medical advances that can change or save lives.

Recommendation

The Strategic Agreement between Medicines Australia and the Commonwealth Government commits to reviewing the PBAC base case discount rate against international health technology assessment (HTA) best practice.

Medicines Australia has made a recommendation to PBAC to lower its discount rate from 5 per cent to 1.5 per cent.

This recommendation is based on a review of international HTA discount rate practice, the impact of high discount rates on access to medicines, and government policies that stress the importance of long-term health, such as Australia’s Long-Term National Health Plan.

A lower discount rate of 1.5 per cent will:

  • recognise the value of long-term future health benefits;
  • prove to the Australian people and the world that our population’s future health is valued;
  • contribute to improving the speed of patient access to new and innovative therapies;
  • promote PBAC decision-making equity; and
  • align with the Commonwealth Government’s preventative health agenda.

It is important that the new discount rate is applied as soon as possible. The change could take effect by a simple adjustment to the PBAC Guidelines and could be implemented by July 2022.

Statement on the arrival of the Novavax vaccine and COVID-19 pills

Statement on the arrival of the Novavax vaccine and COVID-19 pills

20 January 2022: Medicines Australia welcomes the TGA’s provisional approval for the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine and the provisional approval for two medicines for the symptoms of COVID-19 (Pfizer’s ‘Paxlovid’ and Merck Sharp & Dohme’s ‘Lagevrio’).  

“The Novavax vaccine, called ‘Nuvaxovid’, has now passed the TGA’s rigorous assessment and approval processes. Adding this vaccine to our arsenal is another step forward for Australia as we continue to combat the COVID-19 pandemic,” said CEO of Medicines Australia, Elizabeth de Somer. 

The Novavax vaccine is the first protein COVID-19 vaccine to be approved in Australia, but the technology has been around for decades. Vaccines to prevent hepatitis B and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection are both based on similar protein technology.  

The TGA has also provisionally approved two oral COVID-19 treatments for Australia, ‘Paxlovid’ from Pfizer and ‘Lagevrio’ from Merck Sharp & Dohme. Both companies are members of Medicines Australia. 

“Welcoming not one, but two new treatments for Australians who are suffering from the COVID-19 virus is another demonstration of pioneering medical technology,” said Ms de Somer.  

The two treatments are oral medicines, the first of their kind, and will be available to Australian adults who are at risk of serious illness from the virus, building on the protection from COVID-19 vaccines.  

Medicines Australia will continue to work closely with all our partners across healthcare to ensure Australians have access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.  

For further information, visit the Department of Health website for accurate, evidence-based answers to questions about COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. 

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For media enquiries and interview opportunities, please contact:
Chrystianna Moran – 0424 995 118 / chrystianna.moran@medicinesaustralia.com.au

mRNA manufacturing facility will deliver long term health benefits for Australians

mRNA manufacturing facility will deliver long term health benefits for Australians

14 December 2021: Medicines Australia welcomes the announcement that Australia will manufacture mRNA vaccines in a deal struck with Moderna today.

The manufacturing facility is expected to open in Victoria in 2024 pending regulatory and planning approvals. Once operational, the facility will have the capacity to produce 100 million mRNA COVID-19 vaccines each year and contribute to future pandemic preparedness.

“This is a major milestone for all Australians as we continue to fight COVID-19. It is also an enormous health opportunity for our country and will mean Australia can develop new, innovative vaccines and potentially new therapeutics that can meet the future needs of Australian patients,” said Liz de Somer, CEO of Medicines Australia.

Liz de Somer spoke about Australia’s extraordinary R&D capabilities and the flow-on effects the manufacturing facility will have in creating job opportunities, increasing R&D capabilities and timely access to medicines, therapeutics and vaccines for Australians.

“Domestic manufacturing can translate innovative research into real, long-term health and economic outcomes for Australians. The mRNA manufacturing facility will add to our high-quality medical research infrastructure and grow our skilled workforce of scientists and healthcare professionals,” she said.

Ahead of the announcement, Medicines Australia called for a national approach for mRNA manufacturing at the Senate inquiry into Australia’s manufacturing industry.

Medicines Australia is pleased to see the Federal Government working together with the States and Territories on such an important initiative which will benefit all Australians. The innovative biopharmaceutical industry looks forward to building on this in the coming years to increase Australia’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and boost the competitiveness of our life sciences ecosystem.

“In order to continue to grow our sovereign biopharmaceutical capacity and capability and to compete globally, we must improve the coordination, consistency and collaboration across Australia to drive greater social, health and economic benefits to ensure no Australian patient is left behind,” concluded Ms de Somer.

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For media enquiries and interview opportunities, please contact:
Chrystianna Moran – 0424 995 118 / chrystianna.moran@medicinesaustralia.com.au

Pharmaceutical industry backs workplace vaccinations

Pharmaceutical industry backs workplace vaccinations

5 October 2021: Medicines Australia strongly recommends full COVID-19 vaccinations for the health and safety and protection of all employees, including those who work in the biopharmaceutical industry.

The release of the biopharmaceutical industry position follows a growing number of high-profile employers, including member companies, who introduced mandatory vaccination policies last month.

Medicines Australia are powerful advocates for the COVID-19 vaccine and stand by those who require employee vaccinations to protect the health and safety of employees, manufacturers, frontline health workers, patients, and the community they work with during these unprecedented times.

Medicines Australia is the industry peak-body for the biopharmaceutical industry in Australia, who employ almost 15,000 people around the country1.

Elizabeth de Somer, CEO of Medicines Australia, said supporting the global and national vaccine rollout must remain a strong priority.

“The more people who get vaccinated, the less likely it is people will become critically sick from COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, according to well-understood standards of scientific and clinical evidence. We must do all that we can to protect one another, including in the workplace,” she said.

“This is a proud moment in our industry’s history. I am grateful to the highly skilled Australian workforce who are making a real difference to the health of all Australians.”

In a position developed for members, Medicines Australia outlined five key principles that underpin support of workplace COVID-19 vaccinations:

  1. 1. Vaccinations are a critical pillar of public health policy as they guard against the spread of communicable diseases and reduce the burden of illness on individuals, families, the community, and the broader healthcare system.
  2. 2. High vaccination rates must be encouraged to support herd immunity and prevent the COVID-19 virus from easily spreading from person-to-person.
  3. 3. Education is a critical component in building confidence in vaccinations.
  4. 4. The TGA rigorously assess any COVID-19 vaccine for safety, quality, and effectiveness before it can be supplied in Australia. Post Market quality safety and efficacy is assured through robust pharmacovigilance and traceability mechanisms.
  5. 5. Health is fundamental to ensure the economic prosperity of Australia and the world.

Everyone in Australia aged 12 years and over is now eligible for a free COVID-19 vaccination. To find out more about eligibility and local state and territory information, visit the Department of Health website.

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Media contact: Chrystianna Moran
+61424 995 118 / chrystianna.moran@medicinesaustralia.com.au

1 Arna Richardson, 2019, IBIS World. Pharmaceutical Product Manufacturing in Australia