Category: Media release

Medicines industry calls for discount rate reduction now

18 November 2022: Medicines Australia welcomes the recommendation to lower the discount rate for medicines and vaccines but questions why it should be delayed for two years.

Today, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) – the expert committee that evaluates the value of medicines in Australia – published advice recommending Australia’s discount rate could be lowered between 3.5% – 4% to bring the country closer to other recommended international standards.

CEO of Medicines Australia, Elizabeth de Somer, says medicines and vaccines that have long-term health benefits, such as childhood vaccines, are disadvantaged and delayed by a technical discount rate that is higher in Australia than other comparable countries.

“We see today’s announcement as acknowledgment by the PBAC that the discount rate should be changed,” Ms de Somer said.

“This inevitable change should not be caught up in the HTA Review as it cannot wait two years.

“The review of the discount rate was a ‘fast start’ commitment contained in our Strategic Agreement with the Commonwealth. We will continue to work with the Minister and his office to get this done as soon as possible.

“Our country is unnecessarily lagging behind which ultimately causes delays to patients accessing innovative medicines and vaccines.

“Australia has not changed its discount rate for more than 30 years and in that time, Canada, France, England, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and New Zealand have all reduced their discount rates.

“Failing to bring Australia’s discount rate into line with international best practice devalues the longer-term health of some of our youngest Australians and is a misalignment with the Government’s preventative health priorities.

“In Australia, the 5% discount rate has contributed to delays in accessing vital therapies, including vaccines for human papillomavirus (HPV) in adolescents, meningococcal disease in children and adolescents as well as medicines to treat hepatitis C, and treatments for spinal muscular atrophy in children,” Ms de Somer said.

In 1990, the PBAC recommended Australia’s discount rate be set at 5% and it has not been changed since. Medicines Australia has urged the Government to reduce the discount rate to 1.5%, which aligns with international best practices.

Medicines Australia continues to urge the Government to apply a reduced discount rate as soon as possible. The change could come into effect with a simple adjustment to the PBAC Guidelines and be implemented in a matter of weeks.

For more information about the discount rate, read our fact sheet. Watch a short video that explains Australia’s discount rate.

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

New Horizons event, to explore the exciting medicines of tomorrow

14 November 2022: An inaugural event in Canberra next month will explore the future of medicines, biotherapeutics and treatments.  ‘Medicines of Tomorrow: The First Horizon Scanning Forum’, will be hosted by Medicines Australia, the research-driven pharmaceutical industry body.

For the first time, experts in medicines development, health policy, federal, state and territory government and patient advocacy will come together to view disruptive medical innovations in the international innovation pipeline – and consider how Australia’s health system needs to evolve to prepare for them.

The Medical Futurist, Dr Bertalan Meskó, will deliver the keynote address virtually and says there must be a cultural transformation to prepare for the latest health innovations.

“COVID-19 shattered our lives, and our preconceived ideas of what healthcare looks like. There are infinite possibilities with technologies such as digital health and A.I. – and we are only scratching the surface,” Dr Meskó said.

“I am honoured to be addressing the first ‘Medicines of Tomorrow’ in Australia on 6 December.

“We are all patients at some point in our lives. There must be a cultural movement that brings our health systems into the 21^st century – and the world is watching,” Dr Meskó said.

CEO of Medicines Australia, Elizabeth de Somer, said ‘Medicines of Tomorrow’ will showcase innovative medicines and technologies on the horizon in the short to medium term, but long-term vision is also needed to prepare us for the future.

“‘Medicines of Tomorrow’ is the first-time health experts, clinicians, federal and state governments, the medicines industry, and patient groups have come together on a national stage.

“The medicines industry has made leaps and bounds in rapidly discovering and developing disruptive medicines, vaccines and therapies. Australia must prepare now to ensure patients have rapid access to these technologies.

“Attendees can expect to hear about innovations just around the corner that could dramatically change the outcomes of deadly, debilitating and chronic diseases.

“Regular horizon scanning is a key part of the Strategic Agreement between Medicines Australia and the Commonwealth Government. The ‘Medicines of Tomorrow’ event will open the dialogue towards a nationally coordinated, future-focused, adaptable system that benefits all Australian patients,” Ms de Somer said.

Dr Andrew Rochford will be MC for ‘Medicines of Tomorrow: The First Horizon Scanning Forum’ and the agenda can be found here. In-person attendance is limited but virtual attendance is open for registration.

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

Summit brings together medicines industry, academia and patient groups ahead of health reform

11 November 2022: Yesterday the HTA Summit brought together industry, academia and patient representatives to share ideas and discuss solutions after the Government announced the start of the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Review.

CEO of Medicines Australia, Elizabeth de Somer, said the HTA Summit – organised by ISPOR and HTAnalysts – opened the dialogue on challenges in Australia’s health system.

“Our current system is too slow for today’s medicines, and too slow for today’s patients,” said Ms de Somer.

“The upcoming HTA Review is a chance to alter Australia’s approach and speed up the time it takes for a medicine to be listed on the PBS and made available to patients.

“The HTA Summit successfully made space for diverse and frank conversations with  HTA experts about the causes of delay and the importance of patient experiences.

“Partnership in the HTA Review will be critical to its success.

“This was an important step in engaging with a wide range of stakeholders about the upcoming HTA Review.

“As we have seen during COVID-19, collaboration leads to better outcomes and we must harness that collaboration at every opportunity to improve our systems now and for future generations,” Ms de Somer said.

The HTA Summit agenda can be found here and was organised by HTAnalysts in collaboration with ISPOR Australia Chapter. Funding for the event was provided by the Oncology Industry Taskforce.

Medicines Australia provided HTA Review discussion papers ahead of the HTA Summit, which outline conversation starters on key topics from the medicine industry perspective.

Key themes and outputs from the HTA Summit will inform a future white paper.

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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

Independent Chair of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Review will drive major reform of Australia’s health system

27 October 2022: Medicines Australia welcomes the appointment of Adjunct Professor Debora Picone AO as independent Chair of the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Review Reference Committee, announced today by the Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon. Mark Butler MP and the extension of the HTA Review deadline until 31 December 2023.

Chair of Medicines Australia, Dr Anna Lavelle, said Adjunct Professor Picone AO will lead major reforms that will speed up access to innovative medicines for all Australians.

“The HTA Review will ensure Australia’s health system keeps pace with advancements in medical technologies and deliver faster access to new medicines for patients,” Dr Lavelle said.

“Reform of Australia’s HTA system is well overdue. We must reduce the time it takes for Australian patients to access innovative medicines, treatments and health technologies.

“Our health system must be modernised with a clear focus on patient needs and listening to patient perspectives.

“Adjunct Professor Picone AO and the HTA Review Reference Committee will be taking part in the first major review and reform of the HTA system in 30 years. It is a pivotal opportunity to improve this crucial process in accessing innovative medicines.

“The Board of Medicines Australia thanks Minister Butler for his consultative approach to the appointment of the Chair which signals the Government’s desire to work collaboratively with stakeholders on reforming HTA,” Dr Lavelle said.

CEO of Medicines Australia, Elizabeth de Somer, said the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the importance of rapid access to innovative medicines, vaccines and therapies.

“The much-anticipated reform of our HTA system can bring about change so all Australians have fast access not just to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, but all innovative medicines,” Ms de Somer said.

“Adjunct Professor Picone’s experience as CEO of the Australian Commission in Safety and Quality of Healthcare and other health-related committees demonstrates her appetite for change and ability to work with stakeholders to seize opportunities that will improve health outcomes of all Australians.

“The Chair has the important role of maintaining autonomy while working in partnership with Government, clinicians, industry and patients to improve Australia’s health system and meet future patient needs. Debora Picone is well known as an independent thinker, with a strong pragmatic and patient centred approach, which will be critical in driving true reform.

“Fast access to innovative medicines is fundamental to a healthy and productive population. The outcomes from the HTA Review must place patients and the community at the centre of Australia’s reimbursement system, so  the real benefits of new medicines, treatments and vaccines are understood and valued,” Ms de Somer said.

The other Committee members are Mr John Young (Medicines Australia); Professor Andrew Roberts AM (Clinical/Scientific Expert); Professor Andrew Wilson (Chair of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee); Dr Dawn Casey PSM (National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation – NACCHO); Ms Ann Single (Patient Voice Initiative); and Ms Adriana Platona PSM (Government Representative).

Medicines Australia has collaborated with members and stakeholders to develop a draft set of recommended terms of reference for the HTA Review Reference Committee to consider in their development of the scope of the Review.

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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

BACKGROUND

Australian pharmaceutical industry representative group launches report on future of workplace inclusion

13 October 2022: Today, Medicines Australia Special Interest Group, Pharma Australia Inclusion Group (PAIG), launched their latest White Paper, The Future of Workplace Inclusion.

In collaboration with PAIG’s 25 pharmaceutical company member organisations, the White Paper was developed through a consultative process including one-on-one discussions with leaders, an anonymous virtual focus group with members’ employees and desktop review of a selection of primary and secondary research from within and outside of the pharmaceutical industry.

This consultative process resulted in the identification of five key themes for recommendations that encompass the future of workplace inclusion:

1. Connecting purpose to practice
2. Amplifying the impact of inclusive leadership
3. Attracting, developing, and retaining diverse capabilities
4. Applying an intersectional lens to segmented efforts
5. Embracing new ways of working.

This report calls for the pharmaceutical industry to be courageous and challenge the status quo, said PAIG co-chair, Fiona Sheppard, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lead, ANZ, Johnson & Johnson.

“We must be at the cutting edge of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the benefit of the Australian innovative medicines industry. It shows how together we can build a robust, modern, and attractive industry in which everyone can thrive”, said Fiona.

The White Paper also highlights the impact COVID-19 has had, resulting in a rapid growth in the digital economy which has fundamentally changed the workplace, commented PAIG co-chair, Lee Davelaar, Senior Manager, Policy and Public Affairs, Pfizer Australia.

“We now have greater flexibility and trust to perform our work where and when we can. For organisations and individuals this has presented new opportunities, but also challenges that this White Paper and the next iteration of the PAIG program will explore”, said Lee.

“PAIG will examine how we evolve company’s diversity and inclusion offering to ensure it is integrated with this digital evolution of the workplace, looking beyond our industry to understand best diversity, equity and inclusion practices and, where applicable, embrace or adapt these practices for the benefit of our sector.”

Medicines Australia CEO, Elizabeth de Somer, said this report delivers recommendations that can not only benefit individual companies but can embed principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the ecosystems in which we operate.

“On behalf of Medicines Australia and PAIG’s member organisations, we are proud to launch The Future of Workplace Inclusion. What makes the medicines industry a great place to work is that we embrace learning and new thinking. We are not afraid to make courageous decisions and we are committed to continuously improving,” said Elizabeth.

An event to mark the launch of the White Paper was held in Sydney today, attended by diversity and inclusion leaders from across the pharmaceutical industry. The event showcased the White Paper’s collaborative development process and the impact its recommendations will have on the future of workplace inclusivity in the Australian medicines industry.

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About PAIG

The Pharma Australia Inclusion Group (PAIG) is a special interest group of Medicines Australia. It was established in 2017 to build a more inclusive industry where all people are equally valued, rewarded and thrive. Originally named PAGE (Pharma Australia Gender Equity), the group evolved in 2020 to reflect a broader focus on diversity and inclusion. Inclusion is the foundation of equity and impacts all aspects of an organisation. Inclusive workplaces are key to strengthening talent attraction and retention and creating conditions that bring out the best in all people. PAIG is committed to establishing the pharmaceutical industry as a known leader in inclusion.

PAIG member organisations (listed in alphabetical order)

• AbbVie
• Amgen
• Astellas
• AstraZeneca
• Bayer
• BeiGene
• Biogen
• BMS
• Boehringer Ingelheim
• Eli Lilly Australia
• Gilead
• GSK
• Healthcare Logistics/EBOS
• Ipsen
• Janssen (Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies)
• Merck
• MSD
• Novo Nordisk
• Organon
• Pfizer
• Roche
• Sanofi
• Takeda
• UCB
• Vifor

National Medicines Policy draft strides ahead but still room for improvement

26 September 2022: Stakeholders have until tomorrow night to submit their feedback on the refreshed National Medicines Policy that will impact all Australians.

The National Medicines Policy (NMP) Review started in August 2021 but was paused until after the Federal Election to allow stakeholders more time to provide feedback.

CEO of Medicines Australia, Elizabeth de Somer, said the new draft of the NMP – which was released under the new Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon. Mark Butler MP – is an improvement from the original draft.

“The latest draft of the National Medicines Policy is strides ahead of the previous version and shows the Committee and Minister have heard the concerns of key stakeholders including the medicines industry, health experts and patients,” she said.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the importance of listening to the voices of health experts and patients, and it is encouraging to see the latest draft of the NMP has shown consideration for these voices and experiences.

“It is pleasing to see the latest draft of the NMP incorporates key recommendations that will create a more robust, equitable and future-focused NMP that will benefit all Australians.

“All Australians should have timely access to innovative, high-quality medicines and the revised NMP aims to deliver positive ways to eliminate health inequities that are experienced by priority groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“The NMP must remain future-fit and set us up for the innovative medicines and treatments that are just on the horizon. The NMP has not been reviewed in over 20 years and Australians cannot afford to let such an important policy languish on shelves for that long again.

“The final NMP must include stronger governance and evaluation frameworks – such as including a public annual report to assess effectiveness and a commitment to review the NMP every five years.

“Rightly so, the NMP recognises the importance of investing in medicine and the wide-reaching benefits this has for the individual patient, their family, community, economy and society as a whole,” Ms de Somer said.

The revised draft of the NMP is available on the Department of Health website and submissions are open until 27 September 2022.

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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

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Vale William Delaat AM

15 September 2022: On behalf of the Board, staff and members, Medicines Australia expresses our great sadness at the passing of former Chair and greatly respected industry leader, Mr William Delaat AM.

Our deepest condolences go to his family and friends at the passing of such a remarkable Australian.

Medicines Australia CEO, Elizabeth de Somer, said that Mr Delaat’s tenure on the Medicines Australia Board and as an industry leader over the years saw important gains in policy changes and investment in innovative medicines.

“Mr Will Delaat championed big thinking and passion for bringing innovative medicines to Australia and his well-respected leadership greatly benefited Australia’s health system and the patients that rely on it.

“He worked tirelessly in advocating for a sustainable, equitable health system and was rigorous in enacting reform that greatly improved the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

“Mr Delaat’s passing comes days before the 12-year anniversary of the signing of the historic MOU between the medicines industry and Government.

“Mr Delaat was instrumental in the negotiations of the 2010 MOU with the Australian Government which showed evidence of the close, trusting relationships he had built with industry, departments and government.

“He was a generous man, who shared his many years of experience and knowledge to propel forward initiatives that encouraged further research and investment in new medicines,” Ms de Somer said.

In 2012, Mr Delaat’s contributions were recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List and he was awarded the Order of Australia for ‘his service to the pharmaceutical industry through roles with professional organisations, to the development of medicines policy and reform, and to the community.’

During his career Mr Delaat held executive positions in both Europe and Australia for MSD and AstraZeneca. Mr Delaat served on the board of Medicines Australia for 14 years and was chairman twice between 2008-2012, and 2003-2005.

Most recently, he served as a director at Pharmaxis and the Chair of the Pharmaxis Audit Committee. He is also the former Chair of EnGeneIC and was a non‐executive director of two start‐up companies, Kinela and Perx Health, between 2017‐21. He also held positions on the board of the National Return of Unwanted Medicines and not-for-profit organisation, One Disease.

Vale William Delaat.