RCA CEO voices relentless advocacy and potential for reform: Rare Cancers Awareness Day

Pharma News: Coinciding with Rare Cancers Awareness Day on 26 June, Christine Cockburn, CEO of Rare Cancers Australia joined Health Industry Hub in discussing this year’s theme, in addition to the organisation’s policy and advocacy agenda.

In light of the highly anticipated Senate report on equitable access to diagnosis and treatment for rare cancer patients, Cockburn identified significant potential for meaningful reform in several of the 41 recommendations.

“The recommendations on access to medicines in the Senate report is very important as it is not acknowledged in other larger policy pieces, like the Australian Cancer Plan. One of the other things we were really pleased to see was the recommendation for a complete ban on discrimination against people based on their genomic data,” she emphasised.

“We don’t expect the response to the report from government too soon. It behoves us to keep our foot on the pedal and make sure that it’s responded to and implemented,” she commented.

Reflecting on key lessons from other OECD countries, she urged stakeholders to look to the Netherlands, US and Canada for several best practices.

Outlining her vision and the organisation’s strategic objectives heading into an election, Cockburn said “My vision is for us to continue to provide limitless support to patients and to be relentless advocates. We never stop looking for solutions.”

Cockburn previewed the CanForum, saying “The theme is a rare cancer moonshot. The idea is to acknowledge what’s gone really well, where the gaps remain and to define what is a moonshot around cancer.”

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