Budget debrief and next moves for HTA Review: Medicines Australia CEO, HTA Committee member

Pharma News: Elizabeth de Somer, CEO of Medicines Australia and John Young, HTA Committee member and former leader from Pfizer with over 34 years of global expertise, joined Health Industry Hub to comment on the key themes from the Labor government’s first Budget impacting the medicines industry and discuss the next steps for the HTA Review now that the new independent Chair has been announced.

Health Industry Hub was the first to reveal the new Chair for the HTA Review, Professor Debora Picone – a couple of days prior to Minister Mark Butler’s formal announcement. Ms de Somer and Mr Young commented on the factors that make Professor Picone the better option to lead the much-anticipated HTA Review, as well as the potential risks that may come up as a result of the reforms.

The next Budget is only a few months away in May 2023. Medicines Australia will be lobbying for “no new savings measures in the PBS until there is clarity on the conclusion of the HTA Review and where the policy settings are going to be to inform ongoing investment in new technologies.”