Global health policy powerhouse, Jane Halton AO PSM, joins GBMA as its inaugural Independent Chair

Canberra:As Australia emerges from the current global health and economic crisis, one of the world’s most respected and experienced health policy leaders, Ms Jane Halton AO PSM, is joining Australia’s peak body for generic and biosimilar medicines, as its inaugural Independent Chair.

As the Chair of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and Co-Chair of COVAX, Ms Halton has been laser focussed on ensuring equitable global access to a COVID-19 vaccine. However, now the former Secretary of the departments of Health and Finance, is also turning her attention to ensuring all Australian patients can continue to receive affordable and safe medicines.

“To return to my domestic health policy roots, and lead the GBMA at such a significantly important time for Australian patients and our vital healthcare community, is a challenge I am delighted to embrace,” Ms Halton said today. “As we look to the arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine for our citizens, we also need to be vigilant that all Australians continue to receive the medicines they need, when they need them.”

With Australia’s health budget under extraordinary strain, Ms Halton – who has, herself, overseen 13 health budgets – said she was keen to forge a national understanding of the role generic and biosimilar medicines play as the ballast for a sustainable Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

A reliable supply of low cost, high volume generic and biosimilar medicines are needed in Australia to ensure there remains fiscal headroom on the PBS to subsidise expensive innovative medicines and offset the cost of life-saving vaccines.

CEO of the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA), Ms Marnie Peterson, said the GBMA board and its members, were thrilled Ms Halton will lead the peak body through an unpredictable and rapidly shifting health, policy and economic landscape.

“Jane is respected as a health and economic policy powerhouse, without peer, in Australia and globally,” Ms Peterson said today. “To end such a traumatic year with Jane as our first Independent Chair is absolutely wonderful news and we know governments, patients, clinicians, hospitals and pharmacists alike will also applaud Jane’s return to the Australian medicine policy front line.”

On behalf of the Board, Ms Peterson paid tribute to the outgoing Chair, Mr Sylvain Vigneault. Ms Peterson described Mr Vigneault’s insights, experience and support, over more than two years, as highly valued by the membership, throughout a significant time for the association and particularly during this pandemic

“All of our members have worked around the clock to protect Australia’s patients against medicine supply chain disruptions,” Ms Peterson said. “Jane joins the GBMA board at a pivotal time as we navigate through a new five year strategic agreement negotiation with the Government and help shape new national medicine policy.”

“Australia has a world class health system and our Government is an international exemplar of how to manage and mitigate the worst of this pandemic,” Ms Halton said.

“I look forward to working with my GBMA colleagues to strengthen our collaborative partnership – one that continues to prioritise all Australian patients and their families.”

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About Jane Halton AO PSM:
Jane Halton AO PSM is the Chair of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovationsand Co-Chair of the COVAX initiative.

She is a member of Australian COVID-19 Coordination Commission advisory committee, boards of ANZ, Crown, Australian Strategic Policy Institute and the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation.

In a 33 year career at the top of the public service, Ms Halton served as a Secretary of the Departments of Health and Finance at the federal level and was Deputy Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Ms Halton chaired the World Heath Organisation (WHO) board, was President of the World Health Assembly and was Chair of the OECD health committee.

The CEO of the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA), Ms Marnie Peterson, said whilst GBMA members are still working through the details, it was a welcomed 2020-21 Budget and one delivered at a time of unprecedented stress imposed on Australia’s healthcare system.

Today the International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (IGBA) launched the first ever Global Biosimilars Week, which is aimed at raising the awareness of biosimilar medicines worldwide through a globally aligned educational initiative.

IGBA Global Biosimilars Week will take place from November 16 to 20, and will be supported by a dedicated globalbiosimilarsweek.org website that contains resources and information for everyone, from patients to doctors. Biosimilars benefits, regulation, clinical use and market adoption will be covered.

“There is a wealth of information available globally about biosimilar medicines and the real-world evidence supporting their safety, efficacy and use,” explained Hanan Sboul, Chair of the IGBA. “Enhanced knowledge of biosimilar medicines will support improved access to life-saving biological treatments and support healthcare systems, which are under increasing pressure due to the rising costs of innovative treatments and the new fiscal demands created by the Covid-19 global public health crisis.”

“With this awareness campaign, the IGBA is providing a one-stop solution for anyone wanting to know more about biosimilar medicines. We invite all stakeholders to get involved and engage in the conversation by following along on social media using the hashtag #GlobalBiosimilarsWeek,” said Erika Satterwhite, Chair of the IGBA Biosimilars Committee.

IGBA member companies are the pioneers and global leaders in the development and marketing of biosimilar medicines. To date there have been more than 300 biosimilar approvals in jurisdictions representative of the IGBA’s membership, covering more than 10 therapeutic areas including oncology, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, growth disorders, nephrology, fertility and diabetes.

Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association congratulates the Australian Government

Canberra: Australian patients are clearly at the forefront of this the ‘pandemic’ budget, says the peak body for generic and biosimilar medicines and the Morrison Government is to be congratulated for its swift fiscal response to the world’s biggest health crisis.

The CEO of the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA), Ms Marnie Peterson, said whilst GBMA members are still working through the details, it was a welcomed 2020-21 Budget and one delivered at a time of unprecedented stress imposed on Australia’s healthcare system.

“We know how difficult this year has been for all Australians but, in particular, for our most vulnerable,” Ms Peterson said. “All of our members have been working hand-in-glove with the Government to ensure that throughout this crisis, all Australians continue to have ongoing reliable, safe and timely access to affordable medicines.”

Ms Peterson said tonight’s budget recognises the relief that generic and biosimilar medicines have provided to the financial pressure rapidly building on Australia’s healthcare system.

Key highlights include:

• The Government’s commencement of early negotiations with the GBMA, on long term certainty for the sector, through a new strategic agreement
• Safeguarding the commitment to list all new medicines – recommended by the PBAC – through the establishment of a new “PBS Medicines Funding Guarantee”
• New listings of medicines onto the PBS
• Changes to the proposed PBS rebate reforms that will seek to create more headroom in thePBS for new listings and streamline the tracking of medicines through the process. 

“With the largest volume percentage of medicines on the PBS being generic products, the contribution by our members underpins the sustainability, health and good function of Australia’s delicately balanced health ecosystem,” Ms Peterson said. “Never before has this attribute been more important and more recognised.

We look forward to working with the Minister for Health, and his department, on preparing a new strategic agreement, now with significant time available to our industry to negotiate in the absolute best interests of Australian patients.

“Today’s high impact and targeted budget, along with all of the health containment initiatives, should continue to provide deep reassurance, to all Australians, that our country is exceptionally well prepared to recover from the economic and health shocks of this virus.” ENDS