Former health minister joins board of generics powerhouse

Former Federal Health Minister Professor Greg Hunt has joined the Board of DBG Health, the parent company of Arrotex which is Australia’s largest generic and private-label medicines company.

Healthcare is deeply personal for Professor Hunt whose mother and wife were both nurses. His appointment follows a parliamentary career spanning more than two decades, including almost five years as Australia’s Health Minister, during which he oversaw reforms and investment across medicines access, medical research, preventative health and healthcare innovation.

DBG Health’s flagship business, Arrotex, is a commercial powerhouse in the generic and biosimilar medicines sector. Adding the supply of Chemist Warehouse’s private-label Wagner generics to its own brands, Arrotex collectively accounts for an estimated market share of 75%-80%. That sheer dominance leaves a relatively narrow share for other multinational generic companies, including Sandoz, Viatris, Teva Pharmaceuticals and Dr Reddy’s.

The appointment brings extensive healthcare policy and industry experience to DBG Health as the company broadens its ambitions beyond its established position in generic medicines and expands into an integrated healthcare business spanning innovative pharmaceuticals, precision health, health services and consumer healthcare.

Dennis Bastas, DBG Health Founder and Executive Chairman, said “Greg brings unparalleled experience in healthcare policy, medicines access and healthcare innovation, as well as a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Australia’s health system. As Australia continues to face increasing pressure on medicine affordability, supply chain resilience and access to healthcare innovation, his insight and experience will be enormously valuable to our Board and leadership team.”

Professor Hunt said DBG Health’s integrated approach to medicines supply was a key attraction of the role.

“DBG Health has built a strong reputation as one of Australia’s leading healthcare companies, with a clear commitment to improving patient access, affordability and health outcomes,” Professor Hunt said. “What particularly attracted me to DBG Health is the company’s willingness to invest for the long term across areas that are critically important to Australia’s healthcare future including medicine supply security, affordable generic medicines, personalised healthcare through myDNA and expanding access to innovative therapies.”

Professor Hunt currently sits on multiple healthcare company boards, including Connected and HaemaLogiX, and is involved with the Montu telehealth working group.

“The healthcare sector is entering a significant period of transformation, particularly across precision medicine, genomics and preventative healthcare, and DBG Health is exceptionally well positioned for that future,” he added. “My role with DBG Health provides an opportunity to continue contributing to healthcare innovation and improved patient outcomes in a way that can benefit all Australians.”

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