News & Trends - Pharmaceuticals
Consumer Health Forum welcomes new National Medicines Policy, but monitoring and evaluation gaps persist
Pharma News: Just prior to Christmas, the Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon. Mark Butler MP, announced the updated National Medicines Review (NMP).
Minister Butler said “All Australians should have equitable, timely, safe and affordable access to a high‑quality and reliable supply of medicines and medicines-related services. The NMP was first published in 2000. Over the past two decades, medicines have changed and so have patient and consumer expectations.
“The Government delivered on its election commitment to restart the Review of the NMP. In refreshing the NMP, the Government has listened to patients, health experts and the medicines industry.”
Consumer Health Forum CEO, Dr Elizabeth Deveny, told Health Industry Hub “The National Medicines Policy released in December was better than the previous version and consumers will appreciate the inclusion of a plain language version.
“Although we are generally supportive of the policy, we would have liked to have seen medical devices included. It would be good to see work commence in the future on a National Medical Devices Policy to be a companion policy that reflects the same principles and pillars.
“Also, while the National Medicines Policy has more detail on implementation than earlier versions, the governance section could identify more clearly how compliance with the policy will be monitored.”
CEO of Medicines Australia, Elizabeth de Somer, said “The release of the new NMP signals the end of a comprehensive consultation process and the beginning of a collaborative partnership to deliver on those ambitions for all Australians.
“The pandemic has shown us that collaborative efforts across the health ecosystem can deliver wide, positive health outcomes. All Australians should have timely and equitable access to high-quality, safe, and effective medicines and health services, regardless of their background, age, or any other factor.
“It is encouraging to see a focus on fairness and access, especially to support improving the longstanding health disparities experienced in the community, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
She added “Medicines Australia also supports the inclusion of some explanation on governance and responsibilities, but we would hope to see further clarification on these areas to provide proper monitoring and evaluation measures.
CEO of Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA), Marnie Peterson, welcomed the release of the refreshed NMP and said “GBMA members collaborate closely with other stakeholders including government, patient groups, health professionals and members of the innovative medicine industry with priority on patient safety and affordable access to medicines.”
To ensure the NMP remains fit for purpose and is not left to languish, it will now be reviewed and updated every five years, or when important changes are needed.
Ms de Somer said “The addition of a regular, five-year review and update of the NMP is a significant commitment from Government and we look forward to ongoing consultation to ensure the NMP keeps pace with rapidly evolving medicines and new technologies so that Australia does not get left behind.”
Dr Deveny added “On the whole though, CHF is encouraged by the emphasis on consumers and the availability of a plain language version of the policy. We look forward to working with the government and other stakeholders to bring it to life.”
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