Australian patients to benefit from ongoing collaboration between peak medicine bodies
ACCC extends conditional authorisation to Medicines Australia and the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association
29 September 2020: Australian patients, in particular those who urgently need medicines in their fight against COVID-19, are at the centre of a decision today by Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to allow the Medicines Australia (MA) and the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA) to continue their collaboration.
The leadership of the two organisations today welcomed the decision by the ACCC to extend its conditional authorisation. This will enable the pharmaceutical sector to continue to work together on developing and implementing strategies that support the supply of essential medicines to all Australians.
Both the CEO of Medicines Australia, Ms Elizabeth de Somer, and the CEO of the GBMA, Ms Marnie Peterson, welcomed the ACCC’s ruling and thanked the ACCC Commissioner, Mr Rod Sims, for his support.
“Maintaining the supply of essential medicines to Australians who rely on them, is the industry’s utmost priority, especially as we face one of the biggest global health challenges of our time,” Ms de Somer said. “An integrated and informed medicines supply chain is central to this.”
“This determination will enable all medicines manufacturers to continue to coordinate their manufacturing and supply activities to deliver medicines to patients,” Ms de Somer said.
Ms de Somer said the two peak bodies will continue to exchange information to quickly mitigate any supply chain disruption and constraints. Medicines Australia and GBMA will keep working hand-in-glove with all Australian governments, to enable them to effectively respond to the global health crisis.
“This unique collaboration becomes even more critical as industry and government evolve plans to distribute an eventual COVID-19 vaccination to every Australian,” said Ms de Somer.
Marnie Peterson, CEO of the GBMA said this final conditional authorisation was a clear demonstration of the highly-engaged and productive role the sector has played in responding to the pandemic.
“Ensuring critical medicines supply for Australian patients has been essential as we respond to this health crisis and the partnership comes at a time when patients need ongoing assurance that vital medicines will be supplied, when and where they are needed.”
“Disruptions to global supply chains remain a challenge, but we have all worked around the clock to ensure that medicines continue to reach patients,” Ms Peterson said.
“We are relieved that the pressure on our medicines supply is abating, however we remain vigilant as we are still navigating ongoing freight restrictions and any potential future outbreaks of the virus,” said Ms Peterson.
The ACCC granted conditional authorisation until 30 September 2021.
ENDS
MA and the GBMA advises Australians who are concerned about the availability of their medicines to check the TGA website and to discuss their concerns with their doctor or pharmacist or the company directly, through their customer service lines.
Media inquiries:
Medicines Australia: Natalie Wimmer +61 450 728 660 nwimmer@medaus.com.au
GBMA: Jannette Cotterell +61 419 204 059 jcotterell@executivecounsel.com.au
About:
Medicines Australia (MA) members represent pharmaceutical companies who create originator products and are actively involved in original research and development, clinical trials together with manufacturing.
Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA) members represent pharmaceutical companies who manufacture, supply and market generic and biosimilar medicines, which account for the largest volume percentage of medicines on the PBS.
Additional Resources:
Medicines Australia – https://medicinesaustralia.com.au/
Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association – https://www.gbma.com.au/
World Health Organisation – https://www.who.int/
Department of Health – https://www.health.gov.au/