NHHRC points to efficient future health system

The National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission’s recommendations offer Australian patients the prospect of a more efficient and better integrated healthcare system, Medicines Australia chief executive Ian Chalmers said today.

Responding to yesterday’s launch of A Healthier Future for all Australians, Mr Chalmers congratulated the Commission on its report.

“The Government’s investment in this report demonstrates the priority of healthcare reform as a policy issue for Australia,” Mr Chalmers said. “Reform of the health system stands as one of the great challenges of the 21st Century.

“As an integral part of that system, it is important that the innovative pharmaceutical industry is engaged in the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations, to ensure that patient access and choice is maintained and enhanced.

“The Commission is to be congratulated for recognising the importance of ensuring that Australian patients have a sustainable healthcare system, but one which is equipped to deliver patient health outcomes effectively and efficiently.”

Mr Chalmers said the absence of any recommendations of further major funding reforms for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme suggested that the Government should allow the reforms to run their course.

“Medicines Australia argued strongly for the maintenance of current funding arrangements for the PBS,” Mr Chalmers said.

“The principles of PBS reform – namely delivering savings while ensuring universal access to new medicines – remain critically important. I applaud the Commission for recognising this.”

Medicines Australia also welcomed recommendations for the Commonwealth to assume greater responsibility for primary healthcare policy and funding.

“I fully support the move to address healthcare management holistically,” Mr Chalmers said.

Mr Chalmers further welcomed the recommendation to implement a national e-health system and the linkage of health data.

“Obviously all these recommendations will need to be carefully considered and debated by government, stakeholders and the community. However they have the potential to deliver significant benefit to patients,” Mr Chalmers said.

–ENDS–

Contact Person:

Jamie Nicholson
Media Communications Manager
Phone: 0419 220 293
Email: Jamie.Nicholson@medicinesaustralia.com.au