Medicines Australia CEO voices policy and advocacy focus for 2023

In this Health Industry Hub interview, Elizabeth de Somer, CEO of Medicines Australia, acknowledged the top 2022 highlights for Medicines Australia and the commitments that led to meaningful change.

In considering the significant complexities across the broader healthcare ecosystem that are impacting patient care, Ms de Somer reflected on the critical challenges facing the pharma sector this year and how the industry can continue to create compelling value for patients, clinicians and payers.

Among the discussions on key reforms impacting the medicines industry, Ms de Somer commented on the highly selective measures taken during the recent distribution of the HTA Review draft Terms of Reference (ToR) and the concerns that were voiced to government.

She also referred to the House of Reps inquiry and delayed government response to the parliamentary report ‘The New Frontier – Delivering better health for all Australians‘ which was delivered in Nov 2021 to improve access to new medicines and medical technologies. She set out the organisation’s expectations of government response to the report and timely commitment to fund the implementation of the comprehensive recommendations.

Lastly, Liz elaborated on Medicines Australia’s 2023 strategic objectives, the changes from international jurisdictions that may impact us locally, and the health policy outcomes that will improve some of the current health challenges and inequities facing many Australians today.