Medicines Australia Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth de Somer welcomed this decision by the ACCC.

“Today’s authorisation underscores the importance of an integrated supply chain for our medicines and I thank the GBMA for working alongside us in addressing the challenges we are now facing as a result of COVID-19.”

“It is essential that we pursue every possible strategy that supports the delivery of medicines into the hands of Australian patients. We must be focussed and tireless in our effort,” said Ms de Somer.

“We have a critical role to play in the urgent response to this rapidly evolving health crisis. But to succeed it requires the Australian healthcare delivery system to work together, including with Government, in a highly collaborative and open manner,” states Dr Anna Lavelle, Chair, Medicines Australia.

“Companies are working around the clock to monitor and assess supplies, at a local and global level, to ensure they can get to where they are needed,” added Dr Lavelle.

“We welcome this important authorisation by the ACCC to allow industry, extending to non- members of the associations, to work together now and facilitate the efficient and effective management of medicine supplies for Australian patients during this critical and challenging time,” comments Marnie Peterson CEO, Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association.

Both Medicines Australia and the GBMA are working in close partnership with the Federal, State and Territory Governments and the local healthcare community to respond to and manage the supply of medicines – both within Australia and also shipment of supplies into the country.

As the peak bodies for medicines in Australia, Medicines Australia and the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association stand ready to protect Australians in these uncertain times.

The details outlined by the ACCC provides specific guidelines around the sharing and exchange of information relating to the supply of prescription medicines together with general arrangements and agreements.

Full details can be found here.

More information:
Jannette Cotterell
Executive Counsel Australia
0419 204 059
jcotterell@executivecounsel.com.au

Chair of the Generic and Biosimilar Medicine Association (GBMA), Mr Sylvain Vigneault, congratulated the Commonwealth Government for moving at a rapid pace to ensure Australia is as well prepared as any country can be, against the unpredictable economic and health impacts of the virus.

“Australia has a great health system and a world class supply chain of safe and affordable medicines,” Mr Vigneault said. “Australians need to know that our members are working around the clock to do what we can, where we can, to ensure all Australians can continue to access safe and affordable medicines.”

Mr Vigneault said the GBMA is working with other key industry stakeholders, to identify and mitigate potential medicine supply risks. With the largest volume percentage of medicines on the PBS being generic products, GBMA members are accelerating their internal processes, including working with global supply chains to secure supply for Australian patients.

GBMA also leads an industry-government working sub-group that focuses on the causes of medicine shortages and the supply chain. The group includes pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Department of Health.

Mr Vigneault joins the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, to urge Australians not to ‘panic purchase’ and stockpile medicines.

“Disruptions to global supply chains are often out of our control but Australians should be reassured that their health and wellbeing is our priority,” he said.

“We are reassured by statements from Prime Minister and Minister for Health that Australia is exceptionally well prepared to manage this virus in a responsible and cautious way,” Mr Vigneault said.

GBMA advises Australians who are concerned about the availability of their medicines to check the TGA website link and to discuss their concerns with their pharmacist.