Medicines Australia has welcomed the Coalitions commitment to boosting manufacturing in Australia.

“The medicines industry welcomes any moves to reduce red-tape and boost exports and is ready to work with the Coalition to streamline regulation of our sector”, said Medicines Australia Chief Executive Brendan Shaw.

“As a knowledge based industry with over $4 billion in exports annually the medicines industry is well placed to contribute to Australian manufacturing into the future”.

“As we noted in our Election Priorities the strength of the Australian economy together with mountains of unharmonised and inefficient regulations makes it difficult for Australia to match it with global competitors”.

“However, Medicines Australia has been supportive of the R&D tax credit as a policy that has attracted investment to Australia and cautions that any changes to the policy must be carefully weighed to ensure they don’t discourage investment”.

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Contact Person:

Alex Chapman
Phone: (02) 8281 3204
Email: alex@ogilvyprhealth.com

Today’s trade figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics again show that Australia earns almost $4 billion a year from exporting medicines.

“Australia earns more money exporting medicines than that is does from exporting cars, wine or scientific instruments,” said Medicines Australia Chief Executive Dr Brendan Shaw.

“Predictable policy changes are important for the industry’s future. That’s why last Friday’s sudden announcement in the Government’s Economic Statement of changes to Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme price disclosure policy without consultation was extremely disappointing.”

While medicines exports held up well in the face of a high Australian dollar over the last five years, Australia’s annual medicines exports have fallen back to $3.9 billion in 2012 13 from their peak of $4.1 billion in 2009-10.

“While there’s been lots of debate about Australian industries and their future, we have a real opportunity to make the Australian medicines industry a key component of preparing the Australian economy for a post-mining boom future,” Dr Shaw said.

“Australia already has competitive advantages in things like medical research, exports, clinical trials and specialist high-value manufacturing. We have a real chance to build on this industry and make it one of Australia’s leading industries of the future.

“We can grow this industry even more from what it is today, provided we have predictable, stable policy settings that support the Australian industry.

“That means predictable pricing policies for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and improving its processes for approving innovative medicines, as well as a re commitment to the National Medicines Policy which recognises the link between commercial viability and medicine supply.

“It also means stable and strong intellectual property policies that support innovation and policies to grow the Australian medicines industry and its research.

“A predictable policy framework that encourages the industry to supply medicines in a timely manner and build Australia’s economic competitiveness is important to Australia’s future.

Medicines Australia’s election document highlights six commitments and calls on all political parties to support these.

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Contact Person:

Alex Chapman
Phone: (02) 8281 3204
Email: alex@ogilvyprhealth.com

Medicines Australia is extremely disappointed with the Government’s decision today to make further cuts to the PBS.

“The fact that the Government’s announcement today was made without any consultation with industry is particularly disappointing,” said Dr Brendan Shaw, Medicines Australia Chief Executive.

“This industry has collaborated effectively with governments on PBS savings and improvements since the 2007 PBS reforms and is one of Australia’s leading innovative industries, so for it not to be consulted on the changes flagged in today’s statement is, frankly, extraordinary.

“Today’s announcement undermines the collaborative work that was achieved between Government and industry in the 2010 Memorandum of Understanding.

“These measures come at a time when independent analysis shows PBS listings of new medicines are at an all-time low and that the PBS is growing at historically low growth rates.

“It is absolutely clear now that the key PBS policy issue for the future is to ensure that new therapies are listed on the PBS in a timely manner.

“For this policy change to be announced without consultation is a disappointing signal to one of Australia’s leading innovation and export industries”.

“Previous price disclosure arrangements agreed by industry have been delivering savings to the Government leading to a series of downward revisions of PBS spending estimates since their introduction.

“Price disclosure arrangements have always been subject to extensive consultation between Government and industry to ensure that a viable industry is maintained and patient’s access to medicines is not compromised,” Dr Shaw said.

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Contact Person:

Emma Pearson
Phone: (02) 8281 3280
Email: emma@ogilvyprhealth.com

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Medicines Australia today welcomed the Prime Minister’s new Ministerial and Cabinet appointments.

“We’re pleased that the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP has retained the Health portfolio,” said Medicines Australia Chief Executive, Dr Brendan Shaw.

“The addition of Medical Research to Ms Plibersek’s responsibilities is also particularly welcome and reflects her ongoing personal interest in this important area.

“On the back of the McKeon Review of Health and Medical Research, the recognition of medical research at the Cabinet level is encouraging.

“We congratulate Senator the Hon Jacinta Collins on her appointment as Minister for Mental Health and Ageing and look forward to working with her in the future.

“We are also encouraged with the appointment of Senator the Hon Kim Carr to the Industry, Innovation, Science and Research portfolio.

“The industry worked well with Senator Carr in his previous stint as Industry Minister on issues like the Pharmaceutical Industry Strategy Group, patents, the Raising the Bar Bill, clinical trials and the R&D tax credit.

“We congratulate him on his appointment and look forward to working with him again on building the future for the Australian medicines industry.

“We also welcome the Hon Richard Marles MP to the Trade portfolio and look forward to working with him on continuing to build the medicines industry’s export and trade performance.

“The Prime Minister’s focus on diversifying the economy by developing manufacturing and innovation in his announcement of his ministerial appointments is to be congratulated.

“The Australian medicines industry represents a real opportunity for the country to build on its competitive advantages in innovation, medical research and exporting to continue to build the industry and support Australia’s post-mining boom future.

“The Australian medicines industry employs over 13,000 people in high-skilled jobs, exports over $4 billion a year – more than the car or wine industries, invests $1 billion a year in R&D, brings new medicines and vaccines to the community, collaborates extensively with Australia’s public research sector and has a low carbon footprint.

“We have a real opportunity to build on this and grow the industry for the future health of Australians and the Australian economy.”

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Contact Person:

Emma Pearson
Phone: (02) 8281 3280
Email: emma@ogilvyprhealth.com

Medicines Australia today welcomed the announcement of a number of new medicines and new indications for existing medicines to be listed on the PBS.

“This is a welcome reminder that the reforms and the agreement negotiated with Government in 2010 are working,” said Medicines Australia Chief Executive Dr Brendan Shaw.

“Without the significant billions of dollars in savings generated through the price disclosure and other reforms measures over the last few years it would have been more difficult to list these medicines.

“We know that the PBS policies agreed between the Commonwealth and Medicines Australia over the last decade will deliver up to $18 billion in savings.

“These savings provide the financial headroom for the Government to list new medicines in the future and keep the PBS sustainable.

“We are pleased that patients do not have to wait any longer for these lifesaving and life improving medicines to reach those who need them, and they are no longer denied access to affordable treatments brought through the innovation of the pharmaceutical industry.

“It is another example of how working together with Government achieves tangible positive outcomes for all concerned.

“There are obviously a range of issues that need to be addressed in the coming years, but history shows that where governments have worked collaboratively with the industry to develop solutions it has delivered the right outcome for the community.”

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Contact Person:

Emma Pearson
Phone: (02) 8281 3280
Email: emma@ogilvyprhealth.com

Medicines Australia today takes the next step on the journey to greater transparency with the release of the first report of Advisory Board meetings held in the first quarter of 2013. The release of this report coincides with the twelfth round of educational event reporting.

“The new provisions in Edition 17 of the Code are a major step towards greater transparency, providing greater confidence that interactions between healthcare professionals and companies are appropriate,” Medicines Australia Chief Executive, Dr Brendan Shaw said.

“The first of these new initiatives, Advisory Board reports, is another step in the journey to greater transparency. There will be further reports on expenditure on healthcare professional consultants and support for health consumer organisations due in early 2014,” he said.

Advisory boards perform an important function in protecting patient health by providing essential advice to pharmaceutical companies on their product or group of products. Advisory Boards generally consist of healthcare professionals, but can also include consumer representatives. An Advisory Board for a given Product may be conducted for a number of years and the membership of the Board may vary over time. The reports released today capture only the payments made to healthcare professional Advisory Board members.

“The new reporting provisions are part of the new 17th edition of the Code introduced at the beginning of the year.

“Industry is committed to greater transparency and welcomes the release of the Transparency Working Group’s paper – Transparency Model Consultation and Discussion Paper on 21 June.”

The reports can be accessed here

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Contact Person:

Emma Pearson
Phone: (02) 8281 3280
Email: emma@ogilvyprhealth.com

Ensuring Australians have access to new medicines in the future and growing the Australian medicines industry are going to require more long term thinking and collaboration, Medicines Australia has told a business forum today.

Speaking at the CEDA 2013 Health Forum today, Medicines Australia Chief Executive Dr Brendan Shaw warned that a short term focus in health could jeopardise future generations’ access to new medicines and vaccines.

“One of the issues we face in the future is the collision between the range of new medical technologies, the ageing population and our unwillingness or inability to pay for this,” Dr Shaw said.

“Watching the collision between the range of new therapies in the pipeline, the ageing population and government austerity is like watching a 40 year train wreck happen in slow motion.

“And we are not talking about it sensibly.

“I am really concerned that in the austerity drive we’re seeing around the world governments will forsake long term incentives for developing new medicines in favour of short term cost cutting.

“If governments cut back too hard on spending on new medicines, or put too many restrictions on their use, they send a signal to the medicines industry not to invest in developing new therapies.

Dr Shaw also highlighted the opportunity Australia had to capitalise on its current strengths to grow the medicines industry and generate growth after the mining boom.

“We have an Australian medicines industry that is already one of Australia’s leading manufacturing industries with some great examples of Australian-owned and international companies building commercial success here.

“But we can do so much more here and reports like the McKeon review of health and medical research provide a roadmap for what we need to do.”

Dr Shaw’s comments to the CEDA forum can be found here

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Contact Person:

Emma Pearson
Phone: (02) 8281 3280
Email: emma@ogilvyprhealth.com

The Board of Medicines Australia today announced that it has appointed Dr Martin Cross as the new Chair of Medicines Australia.

“The Medicines Australia Board has unanimously agreed to appoint Dr Cross as Chair and looks forward to working with him to progress the issues of the innovative medicines industry in Australia,” said interim Medicines Australia Chair, Mark Fladrich.

“Dr Cross has a wealth of experience in the industry, recently working in the generics industry after more than 20 years working in the innovative industry. He is a passionate advocate for, and supporter of, the sector in Australia which fits well with the purpose and objectives of Medicines Australia.

“This is an important and challenging time for our members so having someone of Dr Cross’ calibre at the helm is exciting and I am sure he will serve our industry with distinction.”

Most recently, Dr Cross was Managing Director of Alphapharm, Chair of the Generic Medicines Industry Association and Chair of the Pharmaceutical Industry Council. He has previously been Managing Director of Novartis in Australia and a member of the Medicines Australia Board. He has also previously worked over many years for ICI, Zeneca and AstraZeneca, another Medicines Australia member company.

Medicines Australia Chief Executive, Dr Brendan Shaw, said he was delighted with the announcement.

“This is a great appointment,” Dr Shaw said.

“Martin and I have worked together on various industry issues over the years, so I’m looking forward to working with Martin to prosecute the range of issues on the agenda for Medicines Australia.

“I also want to acknowledge Mark Fladrich’s leadership of Medicines Australia over recent months while a search for a permanent Chair progressed and thank him for his contribution.”

Dr Cross’ appointment commences in early November. Mr Fladrich will continue as interim Chair of Medicines Australia until that time.

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Contact Person:

Emma Pearson
Phone: (02) 8281 3280
Email: emma@ogilvyprhealth.com

Medicines Australia today welcomed the Coalition’s commitment to accelerate the implementation of reforms to make Australia a more competitive destination for global clinical trial investment.

“I welcome the Coalition’s announcement last night that, if elected, it would move swiftly towards a nationally consistent approach to the way clinical trials are overseen and conducted in Australia,” Dr Shaw said.

“The commitments by the Opposition Leader and the Shadow Health Minister on these reforms are to be congratulated.”

“Earlier this year, the McKeon Review of Health and Medical research called for clinical trial reform to be made an ‘urgent national priority’. Medicines Australia shares this view.”

The Federal Government committed in 2011 to implement all the recommendations from the Clinical Trials Action Group, which was established by the Government to arrest the decline in clinical trial activity in Australia.

“The Government’s commitment of $10 million in February made by both the Health Minister and Industries Minster to expedite clinical trial reforms was very welcome.”

“The Coalition’s announcement last night that it will expedite clinical trial regulatory reform measures means we have bipartisan political support to implement these important reforms.”

“Clinical trials are important not only for the massive investment they bring to Australia, but also for the role they play in improving Australia’s healthcare system. For instance, they deliver early and often free access to new healthcare technologies, which saves Australian taxpayers an estimated $100 million each year in hospital and PBS costs.

Patients also directly benefit by having clinical trials in Australia by getting early access to new therapies.”

“Australia is recognised globally as having some of the best scientists and research infrastructure in the world. Despite this, the number of clinical trials conducted here has declined by over 30% since 2007.”

“Australia faces fierce competition for clinical trial investment, but regulatory inefficiencies and extraordinarily high costs make it even harder to attract that investment here.”

“The commitments by the Coalition are great news and come on the back of the Government’s commitment to implement these important reforms,” Dr Shaw said.

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Contact Person:

Emma Pearson
Phone: (02) 8281 3280
Email: emma@ogilvyprhealth.com