Medicines Australia congratulates Health Minister and ministerial team
12 May 2025: Medicines Australia congratulates the Hon. Mark Butler MP on his reappointment as the Minister for Health and Ageing and for adding the portfolios of Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme to his remit. Minister Butler MP can now fix what he acknowledges as a “clunky” Health Technology Assessment (HTA) system and strengthen the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for future generations.
CEO of Medicines Australia Elizabeth de Somer welcomed the reappointment of Minister Butler, noting his deep understanding of the complexities of the health portfolio including the PBS and the medicines industry.
In welcoming the appointment, Ms de Somer emphasised Minister Butler’s public commitment, in this term of Government, to deliver faster access to medicines, vaccines, and treatments by modernising our PBS. “Minister Butler’s constructive leadership over the past term has laid important groundwork for bold and forward-looking reforms that will set the course for world’s best health care for future generations.”
“Reform of the PBS must be the priority. Science and medicines have evolved significantly in the 30 years where no meaningful reform has occurred. The system is no longer fit for purpose and patients are waiting too long – on average 466 days when elsewhere in the world the wait may be as low as 60 days.”
“It is now more than two and a half years since the HTA review commenced and more than six months since its recommendations landed. Delays in accessing new medicines through the PBS are profoundly impacting patient lives.”
“Australians have waited long enough – the time for action is now and we look forward to working with Minister Butler to deliver all the commitments made under the existing Strategic Agreement and commence active implementation of the HTA Review.”
Medicines Australia welcomed the continuity in the Government’s senior economic team and congratulated other Ministers in the broader health and life sciences portfolios: Rebecca White, Assistant Minister for Health, Indigenous Health and Women; Tim Ayres, the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science; Andrew Charlton, Assistant Minister for Science and Technology; and Dan Repacholi, Special Envoy for Men’s Health. Medicines Australia will seek meetings with these Ministers at the earliest opportunity to discuss the way forward to improve the health of all Australians.
“Medicines save lives and improve lives. Investment in the health of all Australians means better outcomes for our society, our economy, and our overall health and wellbeing. We look forward to working with the Government’s health, life sciences, industry and economic teams to ensure 2025 is a year of HTA implementation action so Australian patients can access life changing new medicines when they need them,” Ms de Somer said.
Media enquiries to: Anne-Marie Sparrow, Medicines Australia /Cube – media@medicinesaustralia.com.au or 0417 421 560
About Medicines Australia
Medicines Australia leads the research-based pharmaceutical industry of Australia. Our members discover, develop and manufacture the medicines that are the foundation of a healthy and prosperous society, including prescription pharmaceutical products, biotherapeutic products and vaccines. Our members invest in Australian medical research and take local discoveries and developments to the world.