This year’s theme, Accelerating Patient Access to New Medicines, encompassed a much of our advocacy work NECA have been doing with our VHL Patients to accelerate Belzutifan to be recommended by PBAC to be listed on the PBS . The need for bold reforms to Australia’s Health Technology Assessment (HTA) has never felt more urgent. Faster and fairer access to medicines already approved in Australia is essential for NET patients and their families who rely on these treatments for managing their disease, saving lives and improving quality of life.
NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia was at Parliament house alongside our peers and PharmAus delegates for the announcement indicating major systemic health reform.
The Government released the HTA review’s final report during the course of the evening and confirmed an implementation group will be appointed to drive forward the reforms. The 50 recommendations, once implemented, will deliver improved access to new medicines and vaccines through the PBS. The review found what many in the NET community already know, that there is urgent need for system reform, with patients experiencing profound negative consequences caused by delays in access to new treatments.
“We are so pleased that many of the issues we have been advocating for alongside our patients for over a decade have been acknowledged by the Government. Adding further weight to the recent Senate Inquiry, we look forward to improved, quicker and cheaper access to medicines for NET patients as the Government responds and provides information about the implementation of these recommendations” said NECA CEO Meredith Cummins
The list of presenters was formidable, including the CEO of Medicines Australia Liz de Somer, Shadow Minister for Health, Senator Anne Ruston and Assistant Minister for Health & Aged Care Ged Kearney. Their support for Medicines Australia’s report on progressing priority HTA reforms was a reminder that change is on the horizon.
This was a wonderful opportunity to connect with passionate advocates and experts, especially following our recent success advocating alongside VHL patients to expedite access for Belzutifan.
The full report is available to read here.
