HTA reforms gathering dust while patients wait: Senator Ruston slams Labor’s inaction

At the Opposition Post Budget Health Briefing at Parliament of NSW, Senator Anne Ruston, Shadow Federal Health Minister, took aim at the Labor Government for its failure to act on the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Review recommendations, warning that critical reforms risk being left “on a desk to gather dust”.

“We hadn’t really seen a great deal of movement. I know many are as frustrated as I am,” Senator Ruston asserted. “It’s certainly not in the best interests of the Australian patients whose lives depend on it.”

While advocating for prompt action, she also emphasised the importance of thoroughly examining each recommendation before the Coalition’s commitment to full implementation.

Turning her attention to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), Senator Ruston didn’t mince words about the government’s approach. She was critical of the cap that was placed on the number of medicines that would have been considered by the PBAC process.

“It looks to me like a sneaky way to get around a promise to list all PBAC approved medicines on the PBS,” she said.

Looking ahead to the next election, she made the Coalition’s stance clear, stating she “absolutely guarantees” to listing all PBAC-recommended medicines on the PBS “in a timely way” and ensure that the “PBAC has the resources that it needs to assess every medication that is put forward for its consideration.”

On international trade, she warned against overseas tariffs on medicines, taking a hardline stance against US policies that would leave taxpayers footing the bill. She expressed cautious optimism that tariffs would not be imposed on Australian pharmaceuticals in the coming days, emphasising the importance of securing a deal that protects consumers.

“I do not support the application of tariffs on medications that have been threatened from overseas,” she said, stressing that “a failure to negotiate in Australia’s best interest, with one of our most important trading partners, is not an acceptable excuse.”

Senator Ruston also reinforced the need to rethink how healthcare is viewed in economic terms, urging a shift away from cost-cutting and toward investment.

“We have to stop looking at health as a cost centre and start looking at it as an investment in a healthy Australia which will deliver better outcomes for patients and invariably, better outcomes for the budget,” she emphasised.

The event was hosted by the Australian Institute of Policy and Science, Medicines Australia, and Johnson & Johnson.

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