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Peak body for affordable medicines welcomes the announcement of Mark Butler as the new Minister for Health and Aged Care – Prioritising patients is the shared mission

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Tuesday May 31, 2022

Canberra, ACT

The announcement of Australia’s new Health & Aged Care Minister, the Hon Mark Butler MP, and colleagues, Ms Ged Kearney MP, as the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care and Ms Anika Wells MP as the Minister for Aged Care, was warmly welcomed by the peak body for affordable medicines, the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA).

The Independent Chair of the GBMA, Professor Jane Halton AO PSM, said members and their patients, were ready to start work with Mr Butler, the new Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, and his Ministry colleagues, to ensure all Australians can continue to have equitable access to affordable medicines.

The GBMA looks forward to working with the new Labor Government on the commencement and implementation of the new five-year Strategic Agreement with the GBMA (starting on July 01, 2022), which will empower the affordable medicines sector to build a four-to-six-month stockpile of medicines to guard against global shortages.

Other ALP election commitments include reducing the general co-payment by $12.50 on all medicines listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)1 which Professor Halton said would benefit all Australians battling with the rising cost of living, and to continue the review of the National Medicines Policy, amongst other policy commitments.

“As Australia emerges from a global health and economic crisis, GBMA and the incoming Albanese Government, share the policy mission of delivering to all Australians, equitable access to affordable medicines.” Professor Halton said today.

Patients and taxpayers reap the benefits of nearly two thirds of the PBS volume being delivered by the generic and biosimilar medicines sector.

The CEO of the GBMA, Ms Marnie Peterson, said her members were ready to be a part of the recovery of an over- stretched health budget.

“We are well placed to drive more generics and biosimilars onto the PBS to provide the new Government with the fiscal headroom to subside the innovative but very expensive biologic treatments.” Ms Peterson said.

“The GBMA looks forward to working with the new Labor Government to develop and implement smart and cost- effective policies that will ensure all Australians can continue to access affordable, high-quality medicines, whenever they need them.” ENDS

 

Media inquiries:
Jannette Cotterell
Executive Counsel Australia
0419 204 059
jcotterell@executivecounsel.com.au

 

ABOUT GBMA

The Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA) is the peak representative body of generic and biosimilar medicine suppliers in Australia. Its members ensure that all Australians are offered high quality generic and biosimilar medicines, whilst providing affordable community health outcomes that benefit all Australians.

For more information, please contact the GBMA – admin@gbma.com.au or visit www.gbma.com.au

2022 Biosimilar Awareness Week: 30 May – 3 June

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Marking a new dawn in medicine choice and affordability #BiosimilarAwarenessWeek2022

Monday May 30, 2022

Canberra, ACT

Delivering to all Australians, equitable access to affordable medicines, is a key focus of the 2022 Biosimilar Awareness Week, launched as Australia emerges from a global health and economic crisis.

GBMA Education, the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines (GBMA) educational arm, welcomed the opportunity for Australian patients, their doctors, and pharmacists, to join the online conversation that recognises the role of biosimilar medicines in ensuring the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) remains sustainable.

GBMA’s Independent Chair, Professor Jane Halton AO PSM, said today that Australians with a serious or chronic disease, such as cancer, diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, may very well be treated right now with a medicine, known as a ‘biologic’.

“These are new, innovative, cutting edge, lifesaving and very, very expensive.” Professor Halton said.

Seven of the top 10 medicines on the PBS¹ are biologics, worth approximately $AUD 1.7 billion per year – 10% of the overall cost of the PBS.

“Driving more and more biosimilars onto the PBS is mission critical to not only offset the escalating cost of subsidising these innovative medicines,” Professor Halton said, “but to help the fiscal repair of our overwhelmed heath budget.”

This year’s virtual event marks the final Biosimilar Awareness Week under the GBMA Education Grant, that commenced in 2018.

GBMA Education’s CEO, Ms Marnie Peterson said the initiative had been a very successful collaboration with the GBMA and the Australian Government and the GBMA looks forward to further supporting local and global educational initiatives to increase biosimilar use.

“Over the time of the grant we have seen prescriber confidence to switch a patient to a biosimilar medicine has more than doubled² and the confidence amongst community and hospital pharmacists’ increased dramatically by 77% and 90% respectively,” Ms Peterson said. “Significantly, 81% of consumers surveyed said they are confident taking biosimilar medicines.”

Ms Peterson said biosimilars – like generic medicines – anchor the country’s world-class health system to ensure it remains sustainable, flexible, and dynamic and continues to serve all Australians

“We invite all Australian patients, their families, specialists, GPs, pharmacists and the broader community to engage with the 2022 Biosimilar Awareness Week across our online channels.”

Professor Halton said the Board and members of the GBMA looked forward to working with the new Health Minister and their Government to ensure equitable and timely access to these affordable medicines.

“Together, we can mark the dawn of a new era in medicine policy, medicine affordability and in medicine choice.”

To follow us online, please visit the Biosimilar Australia pages on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

To access further information on biosimilars, please visit the Biosimilar Hub.

1. Currently there are 2,363 brands listed on the PBS
2. Market Research for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule (PBS) and Biosimilar Medicines Quantitative Report

-ENDS-

Media inquiries:
Jannette Cotterell
Executive Counsel Australia
0419 204 059
jcotterell@executivecounsel.com.au

 

ABOUT GBMA

The Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA) is the peak representative body of generic and biosimilar medicine suppliers in Australia. Its members ensure that all Australians are offered high quality generic and biosimilar medicines, whilst providing affordable community health outcomes that benefit all Australians.

For more information, please contact the GBMA – admin@gbma.com.au or visit www.gbma.com.au

Health Minister, Greg Hunt MP and Shadow Health Minister, Mark Butler MP both applaud the role of the GBMA Strategic Agreement for the security of the supply of vital medicines

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Friday March 1, 2022

Canberra, ACT

In one of his last speeches in Parliament as the Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Greg Hunt MP, has stressed the importance a significant buffer of medicines will be to the security of supply for Australian patients.

In a speech at the annual Generic Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA) Budget Week industry luncheon, the retiring Minister praised the affordable medicines industry for its five-year strategic agreement with Government, that starts in July 2022.

“Access to medicines underpin this strategic agreement and it will ensure the critical supply preservation for four to six months,” Minister Hunt said today.

The role of the affordable medicines industry, in mitigating against global supply chain disruption, was also underscored by the Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Mark Butler MP.

“The security of supply, which came at a time when there was heightened concern, was a great achievement,” Mr Butler said.

Mr Butler also re-confirmed his commitment that if Labor won the pending federal election, it would honour the strategic agreements with the GBMA and Medicines Australia respectfully.

“You will have a new Health Minister, regardless of who is the next Government,” Mr Butler said. “Obviously I hope it will be me but either way, I have really valued the engagement with the GBMA.”

The Independent Chair of the GBMA, Professor Jane Halton AO PSM, reminded her audience of MPs, Senators, GBMA members, industry leaders and consumer advocacy groups, that whilst the issue of supply has been resolved, there was more work to be done.

“We have heard a lot this Budget week about the cost of living,” Professor Halton said. “This also means creating the headroom (on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) to pay for the innovative but expensive medicines we want.”

Professor Halton said this was the challenge for the next Minister for Health.

“We look forward to working with all stakeholders to improve the penetration of biosimilar medicines and create that vital headroom so never again, will we have an argument about whether we can afford to list that innovative but expensive medicine.”

Professor Halton again thanked Minister Hunt for his ‘incredible work’ during the pandemic and what has been an experience, the former Secretary of Health and Finance said she would not wish on anyone.

“We know it’s been an extraordinarily difficult two years and we are so very proud to have played our part in ensuring Australians could still access their medicines,” Professor Halton said. “At risk, were medicines we would describe as ‘low cost’ but they were highly valued by each Australian who relied on them.

These low-cost medicines allowed Australians to continue to work, to continue to care for their family and to continue to contribute to their community.”

-ENDS-

Media inquiries:
Jannette Cotterell
Executive Counsel Australia
0419 204 059
jcotterell@executivecounsel.com.au

 

ABOUT GBMA

The Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA) is the peak representative body of generic and biosimilar medicine suppliers in Australia. Its members ensure that all Australians are offered high quality generic and biosimilar medicines, whilst providing affordable community health outcomes that benefit all Australians.

For more information, please contact the GBMA – admin@gbma.com.au or visit www.gbma.com.au

Health Minister, Greg Hunt MP and Shadow Minister, Mark Butler MP confirmed as VIP speakers at the GBMA Industry Budget Week luncheon

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Embargoed until Tuesday March 15, 2022

Canberra, ACT

The peak body for affordable medicines today announced Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Greg Hunt MP and Shadow counterpart, the Hon Mark Butler MP, will join members and industry guests for its annual Budget Week industry luncheon in Parliament House on Thursday March 31, 2022.

Independent Chair of the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA), Professor Jane Halton AO PSM, today said it was a particularly important event given it was the last budget before the Federal election and the final one for Mr Hunt, who is retiring from politics.

As Australia begins to emerge from the economic and health ravages of the pandemic, the national health budget is under unprecedented pressure. GBMA will continue to work closely with both parties to ensure effective policies are developed that not only provide greater health outcomes for Australians but that also ensure the overwhelmed health budget can be repaired and stabilised.

“We know the last year has been particularly tough for many Australians, particularly those most vulnerable, and our priority has been to ensure every Australian can continue to have equitable and affordable access to safe medicines,” said Prof. Halton.

“A key focus for the GBMA in 2022 will be to help the next Government implement policy levers that help drive the uptake of biosimilars,” Prof. Halton said. “Biosimilars will offset the cost of the innovative but expensive biologic treatments that the Government is under pressure to subsidise.”

The CEO of the GBMA, Ms Marnie Peterson, said this year also marked the start of the sector’s five-year Strategic Agreement that would also see GBMA members invest in supply and infrastructure that would allow them to increase their stockholdings of medicines to four and six months.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure Australians are protected against international supply chain shocks,” Ms Peterson said. “Whilst at the same time, we are creating that all important fiscal headroom on the PBS that allows greater access to new medicines.

Having a workable balance between biologic medicines and their biosimilar equivalents will be key to create a sustainable platform for the PBS.”

Ms Peterson said that the GBMA looks forward to hosting Mr Hunt during his last budget week ever as a Minister and Mr Butler, on the same day as the Opposition’s Budget Reply.

“The GBMA stands ready to work with the next Government to ensure the needs of the Australian patient continues to be prioritised.” ENDS

NB: Media are invited to attend the luncheon on Thursday, March 31. Mural Hall. For further details, please RSVP to barbara.bazarnik@gbma.com.au.

–ENDS–

Media inquiries:
Jannette Cotterell
Executive Counsel Australia
0419 204 059
jcotterell@executivecounsel.com.au

 

ABOUT GBMA

The Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA) is the peak representative body of generic and biosimilar medicine suppliers in Australia. Its members ensure that all Australians are offered high quality generic and biosimilar medicines, whilst providing affordable community health outcomes that benefit all Australians.

For more information, please contact the GBMA – admin@gbma.com.au or visit www.gbma.com.au

Australia’s peak body for affordable medicines welcomes a new board member

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Embargoed until Tuesday February 15, 2022

Canberra, ACT

In a new year marked by ongoing challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic; the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA), today welcomed Mr Alexander (Sandy) Mellis as the organisation’s newest Board director.

Mr Mellis is the Group Commercial Director of the largest Australian-owned pharmaceutical company, Arrotex Pharmaceuticals. With more than 20 years of commercial pharmaceutical experience across multiple international markets, Mr Mellis brings with him, a breadth of leadership and strategic experience.

The GBMA Chief Executive Officer, Ms Marnie Peterson, welcomed Mr Mellis’ appointment, saying his experience will be a valuable asset to the GBMA Board, at a critical time for Australian patients, their families and Australia’s healthcare system.

“The supply of safe and affordable medicines – especially as the Omicron variant continues to surge – has never been more important,” Ms Peterson said. “GBMA has worked very closely with the Federal Government on our new strategic agreement, that will empower our industry to build a four to six months stockpile of medicines.”

Mr Mellis said he was honoured to join a high impact board, whose collective priority was to protect Australians against volatile international medicine supply chains and to ensure our healthcare system remains resilient and sustainable.

“Generic and biosimilar medicines are the bedrock of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme,” Mr Mellis

said. “Affordable medicines make up more than 70% of the PBS and, as such, they enable the fiscal headroom the country needs to allow the subsidisation of the innovative but more expensive biologic treatments.”

Ms Peterson paid tribute to the outgoing board member, Ms Lisa Golden, and thanked Ms Golden for her contribution during what has been two of the most challenging years for those involved in medicine development and delivery.

Led by one of the world’s most recognised health policy decision makers, Professor Jane Halton AO PSM, the GBMA Board is comprised of Australia’s leading healthcare executives. On behalf of all Australian patients, the GBMA board and its members, are committed to securing and delivering high value, high quality, affordable medicines.

–ENDS–

Media inquiries:
Jannette Cotterell
Executive Counsel Australia
0419 204 059
jcotterell@executivecounsel.com.au

 

ABOUT GBMA

The Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA) is the peak representative body of generic and biosimilar medicine suppliers in Australia. Its members ensure that all Australians are offered high quality generic and biosimilar medicines, whilst providing affordable community health outcomes that benefit all Australians.

For more information, please contact the GBMA – admin@gbma.com.au or visit www.gbma.com.au