Sanofi medical leader highlights the significance of multiple stakeholder voices in the HTA review

Medical: Second only to clean drinking water, vaccination is one of the most important health interventions to reduce mortality. The positive impact on human health is difficult to overestimate.

In marking the start of World Immunisation Week, an occasion dedicated to encouraging the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease, Dr Iris Depaz, Country Medical Director at Sanofi ANZ joined Health Industry Hub in discussing how the pharma industry can enhance the conversation on ‘value vs expenditure’ of vaccines and medicines with policy makers and what role the medical affairs function play in this ecosystem.

Iris also shared her perspective on the dynamics and trends shaping the medical affairs function, including the key skills that are imperative for success.

Iris said “The most important is this [HTA] reform… an opportunity that we haven’t had in 30 plus years so there is that scope to ensure that all of the information and input from all of the relevant stakeholders are included and that we do make some real change to ensure that Australia can keep up with the evolutions in technology and with the ability to access the best medicines and vaccines to help the Australian community.

“From a medical function perspective, there’s a real opportunity to expand on what we’ve already been doing and really support that transition as well – not only with healthcare professionals, but potentially also with the patients and consumers.”