Medicines Australia welcomes new leaders of the Liberal and National Parties

31 May 2022: Medicines Australia congratulates the new leaders of the Liberal Party and the National Party and look forward to working with them and their colleagues on policies to improve timely access to the latest innovative medicines, vaccines, and treatments for all Australians.

Medicines Australia CEO, Elizabeth de Somer, said both Liberal Leader, Peter Dutton, and Deputy Leader, Sussan Ley, have served as Health Minister and have a highly informed knowledge and understanding of the health system, including the medicines and biopharmaceuticals sector.

“Both Mr Dutton and Ms Ley have extensive experience in politics and policy and working closely with industry and other stakeholders,” Ms de Somer said.

“We also welcome the new leadership team for the Nationals, David Littleproud and Perin Davey.

“They will know from the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic that people in rural, regional, and remote Australia need timely access to medicines and treatments as other Australians. Equality of access is vital for regional Australia.

“Medicines Australia will engage positively and constructively with the Opposition to drive much-needed reform to achieve faster access for Australians to the medicines they need when they need them, no matter where they live.

“There is a lot of work underway to improve medicines policy in Australia, which will require the support of all MPs and Senators across the political spectrum.

“Key priorities include:

  • Commitments made in the Medicines Australia Strategic Agreement. 
  • Accepting the recommendations from the House of Representatives Inquiry. 
  • Finalising the National Medicines Policy Review and commit to its vision and purpose. 
  • The reform of the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) process, including agreement on an Independent Chair for the Review Committee. 
  • Establishing a high-level, Government-Industry, life sciences roundtable forum. 

“We will be organising meetings with the new Liberal and Nationals leaders at the earliest opportunity,” Ms de Somer said.

-ENDS-

For further information or media interviews, please contact:
Chrystianna Moran – 0424 995 118 / chrystianna.moran@medicinesaustralia.com.au
John Flannery – 0419 494 761 / john.flannery@medicinesaustralia.com.au