It’s time to get on with Health Technology Assessment reform

3 December 2024: Medicines Australia acknowledges the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), and the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC), have backed Health Technology Assessment (HTA) reform in letters released today.

Now this formal step has been completed, it is time to get on with implementation and Medicines Australia calls on the Government to facilitate a meeting of the independent HTA Implementation Advisory Group before the end of the year.

“The PBAC has already had significant input into the HTA reform agenda,” Medicines Australia CEO Liz de Somer said.

“The previous PBAC Chair, Andrew Wilson, was a member of the HTA Reference Committee. The PBAC presented to the Reference Committee. Now we have a letter confirming the need for reform. It’s time to get on with implementation.”

“Comments from the PBAC Chair in the letter about the safety and efficacy of new medicines are concerning. We have a high-quality system of registration through the TGA and Australians can have confidence in the medicines and treatments they have access to for their medical needs.”

“We agree careful implementation is required to achieve beneficial reform, and believe it is possible to be bold in our thinking. System reform is needed. ‘Incremental improvements’ as suggested by the PBAC will not ensure Australians can access the best medicines available as soon as possible after they are approved for use by the TGA. A delay of 466 days from the time of TGA-approval to when a medicine is reimbursed is too long.”

“HTA Reform should also not be pitched as a trade-off. It is about creating the best system for Australian patients now and into the future.”

“Now is the time to get moving with reform implementation. We have the reform blueprint and the support of patient organisations, clinicians, government and industry for system reform. There is no time to waste,” Ms de Somer said.

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