Category: Media release

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

Just released National Medicines Policy sets high ambitions for better health outcomes for all Australians

20 December 2022: Medicines Australia congratulates the Government on the release of the much-anticipated National Medicines Policy (NMP), after a comprehensive review process with stakeholders.

CEO of Medicines Australia, Elizabeth de Somer, said the refreshed NMP affects every Australian and sets the ambitions for our healthcare system to provide fair, timely, reliable and affordable access to high-quality medicines, vaccines and treatments.

“The release of the new NMP signals the end of a comprehensive consultation process and the beginning of a collaborative partnership to deliver on those ambitions for all Australians,” Ms de Somer said.

“The NMP incorporates a bold vision statement ‘To achieve the world’s best health, social and economic outcomes for all Australians through a highly supportive medicines policy environment.’

“Importantly, the new NMP includes modernised language that emphasises the need for good public medicines policy to ensure that the patients and the people it serves are central to the ambition.

“This is the first time the NMP has been updated in over 20 years and we now have a chance to establish this document as foundational for all Australians, and to prepare Australia’s health systems for the next health crisis.

“The pandemic has shown us that collaborative efforts across the health ecosystem can deliver wide, positive health outcomes. All Australians should have timely and equitable access to high-quality, safe, and effective medicines and health services, regardless of their background, age, or any other factor.

“It is encouraging to see a focus on fairness and access, especially to support improving the longstanding health disparities experienced in the community, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“Medicines Australia also supports the inclusion of some explanation on governance and responsibilities, but we would hope to see further clarification on these areas to provide proper monitoring and evaluation measures.

“The addition of a regular, five-year review and update of the NMP is also a significant commitment from Government and we look forward to ongoing consultation to ensure the NMP keeps pace with rapidly evolving medicines and new technologies so that Australia does not get left behind.

“The release of the NMP will support the further reforms to health policy including the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Review in 2023 to speed up access to innovative medicines and technologies for Australian patients.

“We look forward to supporting the implementation of the NMP to ensure Australians and the next generations have equitable, fast and affordable access to innovative medicines, vaccines and therapies that will save lives and change lives,” 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

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ABOUT THE NATIONAL MEDICINES POLICY REVIEW

Published in 2000, Australia’s National Medicines Policy (NMP) is a framework that aims to deliver positive health outcomes for all Australians through their access to, and appropriate use of, medicines.

The NMP guides the range of activities encompassing medication management, access, and affordability of medicines in Australia through a partnership approach between all sectors.

The Review of the NMP (the Review) was commissioned by the then-Minister for Health, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, originally in 2019 in recognition of the substantial changes to the health landscape since the policy was implemented.

The Review has been led by an Expert Advisory Committee established by the Minister. The Committee is chaired by Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd AM. Its members include Professor Lloyd Sansom AO; Mrs Janette Donovan; Dr Sarah Dineen-Griffin and Mr David Herd.

The Committee undertook a 12-week period of public consultation that commenced on 30 August 2021 and concluded on 17 November 2021. The Committee also held a virtual stakeholder webinar forum in December 2021 to present the key themes from the consultation process.

The then-Minister for Health deferred the NMP Review in March 2022 until after the May Federal Election following calls from a wide range of stakeholders who asked for more consultation and consideration time.

The new Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon. Mark Butler MP, restarted the Review in August 2022, re-convened under the Review Chair, Professor Michael Kidd AM. This was followed by another consultation period and the new draft released was much more considerate of views from stakeholders.

Further information about the consultation, including the Discussion Paper, you can view it here: https://consultations.health.gov.au/pbs-subsidy-taskforce/national-medicines-policy-revised-consultation/.