THE landmark review of Australia's Health Technology Assessment (HTA) policies was released yesterday, with 50 recommendations aimed at improving access to new medicines and vaccines through the PBS (PD breaking news).
The report calls for system-wide reform to address inequities, speed up medicines access, enhance patient engagement, and investment to handle new technologies.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler confirmed the appointment of an independent implementation group to drive the reforms forward.
Medicines Australia CEO Liz de Somer, who served on the HTA Review Reference Committee, said, "the recommendations reflect what has been the most comprehensive review of Australia's HTA in more than 30 years".
She emphasised that reforms are needed urgently as "patients are experiencing profound negative consequences caused by delays in access to new treatments".
A spokesperson for AstraZeneca told Pharmacy Daily that "bridging funding could provide cancer therapies to patients at the time they are registered with the TGA and possibly years earlier than they are listed on the PBS".
The company welcomes the review and pledges to work with the government and stakeholders to make bridging funding a reality for Australian patients who "don't have time to wait".
A Pfizer spokesperson emphasised to PD the urgency of reform in Australia's health technology assessment, noting that "time is life" and that the system must be "fit for purpose" to keep pace with medical innovation.
"Good reform must be jointly owned and we look forward to collaborating with stakeholders to ensure faster access to treatments through a stronger PBS." JG
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