HOSPITAL pharmacists say their contribution to more than 10 recommendations in the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Review marks a crucial step towards improved access to medicines and health technologies (PD breaking news).
The sector's peak body, Advanced Pharmacy Australia's (AdPha) President Tom Simpson, and CEO Kristin Michaels, welcomed the report at its launch by Assistant Minister for Health Ged Kearney, at PharmAus24, this week.
Simpson (pictured) highlighted the vital role hospital pharmacists play in managing nearly a quarter of PBS medicines expenditure which equates to over $3 billion annually.
"Our members work in some of the most challenging interfaces of patient care and health technology funding," said Simpson.
"Undertaking formulary reviews on new medicines, considering high cost funding approvals for individual patients, or at the bedside helping clinicians and patients to negotiate complex medicines access agreements.
"We are at the forefront of new medicines access, and see the need to ensure no patient misses out on life-changing therapies."
Simpson stressed that current funding pathways create access inequities, as hospitals struggle to cover therapy costs, leading to a postcode lottery.
"These gaps must be closed to align with HTA reforms and end the postcode lottery," said Simpson.
He called for patient-centred funding models that prioritise clinical need without location constraints, and is looking forward to participating in the Government's implementation group to guide HTA reform. JG
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