Category: Media release

Medicines Australia welcomes new members

7 August 2023: Two new members have joined Medicines Australia following approval by the Medicines Australia board at its August meeting – Kyowa Kirin and MedWise Consulting.

Kyowa Kirin is a Japan-owned pharmaceutical company specialising in antibody technologies in therapeutic areas of oncology, nephrology, central nervous system and immunotherapy.    

MedWise is an Australian company that specialises in industry leading consulting services in medical affairs, medical communications and patient engagement. 

Medicines Australia CEO Liz de Somer, welcomed the companies’ commitment to participating in Australia’s pharmaceutical industry and policy environment. 

“Medicines Australia plays an essential role in driving policy outcomes to ensure Australians have universal, affordable and fast access to treatments that keep pace with advancements in medicines,” Ms de Somer said.

“We rely on the participation of our members to help keep the Government and the community up-to-date with scientific advancements so that policy decisions are informed by our members who are at the frontline of research and development.”  

“The addition of new members that specialise in innovative biopharmaceuticals will strengthen our advocacy for the benefit of the broader industry and most importantly, patients.”  

Simon Dawson, Kyowa Kirin’s General Manager – Australia, said the company looks forward to working closely with Medicines Australia and industry peers. 

“As Kyowa Kirin prepares to celebrate four years of operation in Australia, we are excited to join Medicines Australia as the industry body for the innovative biopharmaceutical sector.

“As our business grows and evolves, we remain focused on cutting-edge science to deliver novel medicines with life-changing value for Australians living with rare diseases and other unmet medical needs.”

Matt Britland, MedWise Managing Director, said being a member of Medicines Australia will enable MedWise to contribute to the broader ecosystem and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

“MedWise Consulting is proud to join Medicines Australia. We have joined to contribute to the broader ecosystem which we need to better patient outcomes. We firmly believe that by doing so, we can enhance patient outcomes, optimise the quality use of medical innovations, and ultimately improve lives.”

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Media enquiries to Kate McKeown, Senior Manager Communications and Media – kate.mckeown@medicinesaustralia.com.au or 0408 775 288.

Time to ‘seize the day’ on PBS reform to realise economic and social goals

A new analysis commissioned by Medicines Australia stresses the urgent need for Australia to embrace a ‘once-in-a-generation’ opportunity to reform the 75-year-old Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in parallel with Medicare, so Australians can access the latest treatments as quickly as people in other countries.

“The data reinforces that Australia is failing to provide timely and fair access to many advanced medical options from an antiquated system that is not powered to respond quickly to innovation,” said Liz de Somer, CEO, Medicines Australia.

“We rank well behind comparable OECD nations in getting approved new medicines out to people, which means not only that patients are not getting the best outcomes, but that significant social and economic benefits are lost. The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Review now underway must result in an adaptable model equipped to deal with the pace of change.”

‘Funding Innovative Medicines’, prepared by Biointelect and Shawview Consulting, lays bare the crisis, showing Australia is at a crossroads where the changing health needs of the population will not be met if it continues to rely on the restrictive, dated methods that currently constrain the HTA system and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

“Recent comments by the Minister for Health and the Shadow Minister for Health show there is heightened political will to modernise the Australian healthcare delivery system, and the HTA Review provides critical impetus to initiate bold reform to serve current and future generations of Australians,” said Ms de Somer.

The report reveals concerning disparities in Australia’s performance on medicines access compared with other OECD nations that employ more flexible, contemporary approaches to both assessment of value and funding of new medicines, and identifies many historic barriers holding Australia back:

A stark reality

• 1. Fewer than half (44%) of new molecular entities (NMEs) registered in Australia between 2016-2021 went on to be reimbursed here, compared with 96% in Japan, 84% in Germany, 80% in the UK and 62% in France.1 In real numbers, Australia had just 74 NMEs reimbursed, less than half that in Germany (165), Japan (154) and the UK (151) (1)
• 2. Australia takes, on average, three to four times longer than the UK, Canada, France or Germany to reimburse a new medicine.1 It is in 12th place for reimbursement timings at 413 days to fund an NME post registration – 303 days longer than Japan, 275 days longer than Germany and 215 days longer than the UK (1)
• 3. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) is more likely to reject applications for listing outright than other HTA agencies, earning Australia a reputation as one of the hardest countries in the world for patients to secure affordable access to the full scope of new medicines (1)
• 4. While structural and pricing measures have stabilised PBS expenditure since the rapid growth of the late 1990s, investment in the PBS has fallen as a percentage of total Australian Government healthcare expenditure over the last decade and is projected to shrink further over the next 10 years, as spending elsewhere in the system escalates (2)
• 5. Projections do not allow for breakthrough therapies in areas of high need, precision medicines such as stem and gene-cell therapies, for the chronic health needs of an ageing population, and much more.

The PBS must adapt AND grow

Strong healthcare is viewed by the strongest nations as an investment for future wellbeing and productivity, with metrics of wellbeing and social progress now operationalised in many comparable countries. The more governments facilitate and expedite affordable citizens’ access to new therapies, the better their return on investment in significant ongoing savings from avoided future healthcare costs and by supporting a productive population.

“There is much to be learned from comparable countries currently doing a better job in delivering new medicines to their people faster than we can. If we truly aspire to provide high quality healthcare to Australians, where new medicines promptly funded for people living with chronic or life-threatening illnesses, we must develop and invest in adaptive systems designed expressly to encourage access to advances and innovation,” Ms de Somer continued. “There are multiple methods outlined in the report – we must be asking, ‘Why can’t we do something like that here?’

“The HTA Policy and Methods Review has opened a once-in-a-generation window to reshape how we value and assess the latest medicines for Australians into one that is fit for the 21st Century, not one inherited from a previous generation with very different health needs,” said Ms de Somer.

Within the HTA system, historic discrepancies in the way medicines are valued and the relative costs are assessed – such as assigning varying quality adjusted life year (QALY) values in different government departments, and excluding broader community and economic benefits, are central problems that must be addressed.

“Medicines and vaccines are an investment in the wellbeing of Australians; while an extreme example, Covid-19 vaccines had a positive impact on the Australian economy to the tune of $181.2B,”3 said Katrina Lapham, Director, Strategic Market Access and Policy, Biointelect. “Our report highlights a potential underinvestment in the PBS and the National Immunisation Program over the last two decades, as other areas of health spending have expanded.

“Other countries have adopted policies that aim to speed up access to truly innovative therapies, without threatening financial sustainability. In Australia, we are at an important inflection point and, in the HTA review, have a unique opportunity to redesign our HTA system into one that is truly world-class and that will facilitate the adoption of the incredible medical advances the future holds.”

To achieve the Government’s ambition of transforming the 39-year-old Medicare system requires a similar reform to strengthen the even older PBS, said Liz de Somer. “We have a rare opportunity to be visionary here and we urge all stakeholders to make submissions throughout the consultation process to safeguard access to medical advances for future generations,” she said.

Issued on behalf of Medicines Australia by Cube. For more information contact: Anne-Marie Sparrow, 0417 421 560/anne-marie@cube.com.au.

Please note featured commentary is attributable to Liz de Somer as CEO of Medicines Australia, the peak body for the research-based pharmaceutical industry, and not as a member of the HTA Review Reference Committee.

Note for editors

PBS origins

The first Commonwealth scheme to provide reimbursed medicines was set up for WW1 and Boer War veterans in 1919, with a wider remit of eligible groups and medicines a later vision of the Curtin government. To achieve a more universal system, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Act was introduced in 1944, but it did not pass until 1947 following High Court challenges and strong resistance. (2)

Significant further amendments are credited to the Menzies government, which aims to ensure the PBS made ‘life saving and life improving drugs affordable for ordinary Australians.’ (3,4) Successive governments from across the political divide have recognised the critical role of the PBS as a fundamental pillar of universal healthcare, a policy that Australians continue to deeply value.

Download the full report: Funding Innovative Medicines June 2023

Health Technology Assessment Policy and Methods Review

Planned consultation for the HTA Review includes several opportunities for stakeholders to get involved at different phases through a variety of methods to ensure accessibility for the diverse needs and preferences of stakeholders. There are two consultation periods separated by a series of deep dives across the year, with the final recommendations to Government due in December.

For further details on how to get involved, email HTAReviewConsult@health.gov.au or visit the consultation hub.

References

1. 1. Funding Innovative Medicines, Biointelect and Shawview Consulting, June 2023
2. 2. https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/BudgetReview202223/HealthOverview. Accessed June 2023
3. 3. Fox, N.; Adams, P.; Grainger, D.; Herz, J.; Austin, C. ‘The Value of Vaccines: A Tale of Two Parts.’ Vaccines 2022, 10, 2057
4. 4. How the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme began | The Medical Journal of Australia (mja.com.au). Accessed June 2023
5. 5. Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) | About the PBS. Accessed June 2023
6. 6. Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme — Robert Menzies Institute. Accessed June 2023

Federal Budget: Government confirms commitment to build a 21st Century health system

9 May 2023: Medicines Australia commends the Federal Government for the significant investment in new health measures and reforms in the 2023 -24 Federal Budget totalling $27.9 billion. The Government’s $6.1 billion commitment to ensure Medicare is ‘fit for the 21^st Century’ to support the health of Australians is essential in these uncertain times.

“We appreciate there are many priorities for Government, and balancing inflation while seeking to buffer cost of living pressures, is challenging. The Medicare reforms are important, but also need to be reflected across our health system ‘holistically’ to ensure we are advancing and ‘cutting edge’. This includes innovative medicines,” states Liz de Somer, CEO Medicines Australia. 

Medicines Australia acknowledge the reforms to Medicare and notably the focus on primary healthcare are important to improving health delivery, after the extreme pressures of the pandemic. Securing greater access to primary care – including a tripling of the bulk billing incentives, reducing pressure on hospitals and supporting our hardworking healthcare professionals are all welcomed.  

“As the Minister for Health said, while Australians have changed significantly in the past 40 years, Medicare has not evolved since its introduction in 1984. Reinvigorating our health delivery framework is an important priority, but similarly, we must work now to ensure the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) – now 75 years old – receives due care and attention to ensure it doesn’t fall even further behind,” adds Ms de Somer.

Medicines Australia also welcomes new funding for the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to deliver measures in public health worth $61 million over four years. This represents an important start and we encourage further support for the TGA as the Government implement ongoing health reform over the coming years.

The Federal Budget however, confirms the PBS continues to stagnate compared to substantial projected growth in Medicare, Hospital Funding to the States and the NDIS.

Health Area	2022-2023	2023-2024
PBS	$19.6 billion	$19.1 billion
Medicare	$36.9 billion	$39.3 billion
NDIS	$36 billion	$41.9 billion
State Hospital Funding	$25.6 billion	$28.4 billion

“These flat projections raise significant questions on how our PBS can keep up with the innovative leaps and scientific breakthroughs now arriving – for those facing life threatening acute illness, or managing ongoing chronic health conditions,” states Ms de Somer.

“A strong Medicare needs a strong PBS. Parallel investment that advances healthcare delivery, alongside the harnessing of innovative medicines, is essential. Working together this will build a modern system truly ‘fit for the 21^st Century’ – bringing maximum gain for our community and the economy,” she adds.

“Medicare and the PBS must evolve together, and the Government’s first major Health Technology Assessment (HTA) review in 30 years provides a critical opportunity to achieve long overdue PBS reform. Making our HTA ‘fit for the future’, to sit alongside Medicare, must now be our collaborative goal,” states Ms de Somer.

Medicines Australia is disappointed with the decision not to progress the Patent Box, but look forward to working with the Government on future measures that will encourage industry growth and investment in Research & Development. 

We will carefully review the details of the Budget over the coming days to assess the full implications in health and for industry, to ensure consequences from other announcements are considered fully and assessed.

For further information please contact Anne-Marie Sparrow on 0417 421 560.

Twelve recognised for outstanding results in Medicine Australia’s Continuing Education Program

26 April 2023: Medicines Australia congratulates twelve individuals, from the pharmaceutical and health sector, for receiving Medicines Australia’s Continuing Education Program (CEP) Awards, which recognise their outstanding results and in depth understanding of the industry gathered during the 2022 course.

Now in their 26^th year, the prestigious CEP Awards includes three categories that recognise academic excellence and results achieved during the online course. The CEP educates pharmaceutical company representatives, and those working in industry, to a very high ethical standard so they can provide healthcare professionals with accurate, balanced information to support the quality use of medicines.

The 2022 awards recipients are:-

• University of Tasmania (UTAS) Excellence Award:  Matthew Nicolaides (Seqirus), and Ahmed Fouad (Galderma) for being high achieving, committed, dedicated and personally engaged throughout Semesters 1 and 2 respectively.
• The Code of Conduct Award: Matthew Nicolaides (Seqirus)whoachieved the highest mark for Program 1 (The Medicines Australia Code of Conduct)
• The CEP Achievement Award: The following 10 students received this Award for achieving the 10 highest aggregate marks for the majority of the core programs:

Ameeta Nelson	Biogen
Simon Kiker	AbbVie
Joanne Catubay	DKSH
Nicholas Smith	Boehringer Ingelheim
Theresa Wade	WriteSource Medical
Benjamin McVean	Pfizer
Nicky Schmidt	Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Nadia Lokananta	Eli Lilly
Dinesh Sukhavasi	Boehringer Ingelheim
Charlotte Cook	Norgine

“We have been extremely impressed with the level of participation and outstanding results achieved in the 2022 CEP course,” said Elizabeth de Somer, Medicines Australia CEO. “This is an intensive, in-depth course delivered by our partners, the University of Tasmania, and we wish to extend our congratulations to all the award recipients – and also those who successfully completed the program last year.

“It’s wonderful to see the industry’s continued dedication to educating and assisting medical representatives, who serve as crucial liaisons between healthcare professionals and pharmaceutical companies. The collective expertise from this program will prove valuable to both companies and the wider healthcare system,” added Ms de Somer.

Joanne Catubay, a CEP Achievement Award winner from DKSH said, “Medicine Australia’s CEP has helped me evolve from being just a target-oriented medical sales representative, to becoming a more conscientious, ethical and patient-oriented part of the bigger Australian health system. I am grateful not only for the recognition but more importantly for the valuable learning.”

Benjamin McVean, another CEP Achievement Award winner from Pfizer added “The Medicines Australia CEP helped me understand the complex industry and what is expected to be able to provide the right support to healthcare practitioners and thereby their patients.”

The CEP Program is offered online through the University of Tasmania, with 2023 Semester One enrolments closing this week on 28 April 2023. Awards for the 2023 CEP Program will be announced in early 2024.

More on the CEP program is on the Medicines Australia website, along with information about the Award specifics.

A video that features some of the Award winners is available here. Photos of some of the Award Winners can also be downloaded here.

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For further information, please contact:

Anne-Marie Sparrow on 0417 421 560/anne-marie@cube.com.au 

ABOUT THE CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM (CEP)

Medicines Australia’s Continuing Education Program (CEP) is designed to educate medical representatives to a recognised industry standard.

The CEP is primarily directed at medical representatives working within the prescription medicines industry but is also recommended to people who may not be currently employed within the industry but would like to pursue a career as a medical representative. It is also available to personnel working for organisations interacting with the pharmaceutical industry.

The CEP contains six core programs, designed to guide medical representatives through the information, knowledge and skills required in the performance of their professional duties. More information is available on the Medicines Australia website.

Medicines Australia extend sincere thanks to Professor Brendan Murphy

13 April 2023: Medicines Australia extend our sincere thanks and acknowledgement to Professor Brendan Murphy AC for his leadership and significant contribution to the health of Australians.

As Secretary of the Department of Health, and prior to this as Chief Medical Officer for the Australian Government, Professor Murphy helped the country navigate through the most challenging health dynamics of the modern era. His unwavering commitment and strength in leadership not only ensured Australia followed a clear and considered path through COVID-19 but also supported the nation’s strong recovery.

“The unchartered waters of this pandemic era required leaders with significant knowledge and skill – but also the ability to assess rapidly evolving situations and move quickly with decision making.  Professor Murphy was exemplary in his leadership – dedicating himself to the health emergency and giving Australians a calm and reassuring presence each and every day,” states Liz de Somer, CEO Medicines Australia.

“Professor Murphy should also be congratulated for his outstanding medical career from practicing clinician to the head of leading organisations. Professor Murphy has long held an interest in important public health issues, such as the surge of antimicrobial resistance, and I am sure that even in his retirement he will continue to take an active interest in public health policy,” she added.

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For further information or media interviews, please contact:

Anne-Marie Sparrow on 0417 421 560/anne-marie@cube.com.au

HTA reform starts today – consultations open

11 April 2023: Medicines Australia welcomes the official start of the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Review consultation that should deliver bold reforms to how medicines are assessed, valued and made available in Australia.

CEO of Medicines Australia, Elizabeth de Somer, said that after 30 years it is long past time for reform to the HTA policies and methods to ensure Australians have timely access to the latest medicines and vaccines.

“We are all patients at one point in our life and our pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS), as part of our Medicare system should provide access to the innovative medicines, treatments and services that are needed as quickly as possible. Access should be fair and equitable, regardless of ability to pay or capacity to research what may already be available overseas,” Ms de Somer said.

“This consultation signals the start of a reform process that must introduce long-term thinking to speed up access to innovative medicines for today’s generation and the next.

“The review will run until December 2023 and a rigorous consultation process with all stakeholders – including industry, scientists, clinicians, and patients – will ensure the best ideas and reforms are put forward for government consideration.

“Today marks the first round of public consultation, which will run for eight weeks from today until 6 June.

“Substantial, enduring change cannot happen without the input and insights from everyone across the health and medicine landscape. I encourage all stakeholders to develop and put forward their ideas, present them to decision makers, and stand up for bold reform.

“As a member of the HTA Review Reference Committee, I will continue to advocate for a review that is consultative, collaborative, inclusive and transparent,” Ms de Somer said.

These are the views of Elizabeth de Somer as CEO of Medicines Australia representing the research based pharmaceutical industry and do not intend to represent views of the HTA Review Reference Committee.

Further information about how to engage in the HTA Review consultation can be found on the Department of Health’s website.

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For further information or media interviews, please contact:
Anne-Marie Sparrow on 0417 421 560/anne-marie@cube.com.au

New report shows the importance of adult vaccines

30 March 2023: Medicines Australia welcomes a new report that calls for investment in the vital adult vaccines that will underpin the future health and prosperity of our nation.

CEO of Medicines Australia, Elizabeth de Somer, said the new report from GSK Australia, ‘Risk to Resilience: A roadmap to vaccine access for older Australians’, highlights the health initiatives Australia will need to prepare for our growing ageing population and burden of chronic disease.

“Vaccinations prevent deadly diseases and save lives,” Ms de Somer said.

“Historically, Australia has always had a high immunisation rate, yet this latest report shows we need to more to improve access to the vaccinations that protect Australians of all ages – not just children.

“We must especially protect older Australians and currently, not enough people are accessing vaccines that can stop diseases such as whooping cough and shingles, which increase in risk as we age.

“Health should not be linked to location. This report highlights the steps we must take as a nation to close the immunisation gap among marginalised groups – including First Nations people and those living in regional and remote communities.

“The National Immunisation Program has been an integral part of our impressively high childhood vaccination rate, and now that same focus must be applied to equitable vaccine access for all age groups.

“This latest report shows that it can take an average of almost four years before an innovative and safe vaccine becomes available through the National Immunisation Program. We know how important fast access to vaccines is, and work must be done to reduce that time lag.

“This year’s Health Technology Assessment (HTA) review should look at how systems can improve and speed up access to innovative vaccines, medicines, and treatments.

“By keeping individuals healthy, vaccinations can decrease the burden on primary care and hospitals and in turn, benefit both our community and economy.

“The medicines industry is ready to work with governments and to partner with patients and health sectors to reform how vaccines are valued in this country and improve access to them,” she said.

The GSK Risk to Resilience report calls for governments to partner with the medicine industry, experts, healthcare professionals and patients to reform reimbursement systems and processes to recognise the value of vaccines and disease prevention and prioritise adult vaccination in delivery of the National Immunisation Program.

The full version of the report can be found here: https://au.gsk.com/media/6823/2003219_gsk-vaccineaccessreport-web-version.pdf

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

HTA Reform gets underway – Terms of Reference released today

22 March 2023: Medicines Australia acknowledges the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Review Terms of Reference – released today – and will continue to advocate for bold policy reform to speed up access to innovative medicines.

CEO of Medicines Australia – and newly appointed HTA Review Reference Committee member – Elizabeth de Somer said that the release of the Terms of Reference kickstarts the HTA Review process which must deliver equitable, timely, safe and affordable access to innovative medicines for all Australians.

“The Australian medicines access system has not seen this type of review in 30 years and rapid advances in health, medicine, and technology, require reform so Australians don’t miss out,” Ms de Somer said.

“The HTA Review is an opportunity to improve our health and medicine system, so it is fit-for-purpose and realises the Government’s National Medicines Policy vision of providing the world’s best healthcare for all Australians.

“Reforms must remove the barriers in current policies, methods and decision-making systems that are stopping patients from having rapid access to innovative medicines, vaccines and treatments,” she said.

Medicines Australia welcomes changes to the Terms of Reference that strengthen the focus on patients and notes the specific mention of additional groups of Australians who experience access equity issues, such as First Nations people.

“After advocacy from Medicines Australia, there is now a stronger focus on having ‘earliest possible access’ to medicines, as well as a ‘person-centred approach’,” Ms de Somer said.

“The Terms of Reference are broad enough to consider system-level policy reforms and will allow all stakeholders to put their issues on the table.

“But this is just the beginning. Health reform like the HTA Review must make lasting, impactful change.

“Moving forward, the HTA Review must be transparent and create appropriate space and time to listen to the views, experiences, and challenges of all stakeholders.

“The House of Representatives Health Committee’s inquiry and the New Frontier report shows there is a groundswell of support for bold reform and everyone involved in that inquiry should have the opportunity to put forward their ideas.

“The Government, medicines industry, patients and health experts must work together that ensure all Australians have better access to innovative medicines,” she said.

Medicines Australia looks forward to the prompt public release of the HTA Review workplan and any discussion papers prepared by the HTA Expert to provide greater understanding for stakeholders and how everyone can engage.  

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

Media statement: CEO’s appointment to HTA Review Reference Committee

14 March 2023: CEO of Medicines Australia, Elizabeth de Somer, has been appointed as the medicines industry representative on the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Review Reference Committee.

The appointment was made today by the Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon. Mark Butler MP, which recognises Ms de Somer’s understanding of the issues, extensive industry experience, willingness to work collaboratively with all interested stakeholders, and commitment to reforming HTA in the best interest of all Australians.

“It is an honour to represent the medicines industry and take part in ensuring the reforms needed to speed up patient access to innovative medicines,” Ms de Somer said.

This position on the HTA Review Reference Committee was previously held by John Young, who has recently been appointed to the Novartis Board and has advised is unable to continue to serve the Committee in a voluntary capacity. Ms de Somer steps immediately into this role and thanked Mr Young for his service to date.

“On behalf of the Medicines Australia Board and the medicines industry, I wish to thank John for his exemplary contribution to the HTA Review Reference Committee and wish him all the best with his new role,” Ms de Somer said.

“John is a globally experienced industry leader and Medicines Australia is extremely pleased with what he has achieved on behalf of the medicines industry and will continue through a prominent and important Board position.

“The HTA Review is a crucial step in improving access to innovative medicines for all Australians.

“Success will hinge on a strong voice for reform and a collaborative approach – I intend to bring both to this important appointment,” she said.

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