Protecting Australians from future medicine shortages and developing effective policies that secure supply will be the shared focus of the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA) and its newest Board member.

Mr Juan Villar, Senior Vice President North East Asia-Pacific and Director of Fresenius Kabi in Australia, joins the board of the peak body for affordable medicines, at a pivotal time for the sector and as the country continues to recover from the devastating health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Responsible for delivering over two thirds of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) volume to Australian patients, the generic medicine sector has navigated a tumultuous year, with GBMA members working extremely hard to protect Australian patients against medicine shortages triggered by disruptions to supply chains globally.

The GBMA’s Independent Chair, Ms Jane Halton AO PSM, and CEO, Ms Marnie Peterson, both welcomed Mr Villar to the Board and said they look forward to his strategic input as the organisation negotiates a new five-year strategic agreement with the Australian Government.

“Fresenius Kabi’s corporate philosophy is ‘caring for life’,” Mr Villar said. “Our values are well aligned with the GBMA’s main focus to prioritise the needs of patients and protect the medicines supply chain. We also need to ensure taxpayers reap the rewards of policies that drive a greater uptake of generic and biosimilar medicines in Australia”.

On behalf of the Board and members, Ms Peterson also paid tribute to the outgoing Board member, Dr Neill Stacey, Managing Director of Southern Cross Pharma.

“For more than five years, our members have benefited from Neill’s wisdom and experience as a board member,” Ms Peterson said. “Always generous with his time and knowledge, we know Neill will continue to help us positively shape the dynamic medicine policy landscape.”

Mr Villar joins the board following the appointment of Ms Halton, one of the most respected health policy makers, as the GBMA’s inaugural independent Chair.

Ms Halton said she was proud to lead a growing membership base and a board that was comprised of some of the most experienced health executives in the country.

“With patients our absolute focus, we are looking forward to working closely with the Government on developing smart policies that allows us to maintain the delivery of high value care to all patients, through the secure supply of high quality, affordable medicines,” Ms Halton said.

The Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association Executive Board

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The Morrison Government tonight handed down a blueprint to lead Australia out from under the global health and economic crisis, with Australian patients a priority beneficiary.

The peak body for affordable medicines, the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA) congratulates the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, the Treasurer, the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP and the Health Minister, the Hon Greg Hunt MP, for unveiling an ‘unprecedented investment’ Budget, aimed at boosting Australia’s health, social and economic recovery.

The Independent Chair of the GBMA, Ms Jane Halton AO PSM, is a former head of the Finance and Health departments, and has overseen more than 13 health budgets. As one of the world’s most experienced policy makers, Ms Halton described the 2021-2022 Federal Budget as “a Budget for the times”.

“This Budget prioritises Australian patients and ensures our world class healthcare system can remain just that, world class.” Ms Halton said. “Whilst the vaccine rollout is clearly vitally important, it is very pleasing to see other significant funds being tagged to breakthrough new medicines and treatments.”

Patients and taxpayers reap the benefits of nearly  two thirds of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) volume being delivered by the generic and biosimilar medicines sector. It was these patients that GBMA members worked extremely hard to protect, as the pandemic crisis triggered disruptions to global medicine supply chains.

“On behalf of all Australian patients, their carers and health professionals, our priority is to remain vigilant against any medicine supply threats,” Ms Halton said. “What the past year has shown us, is that we can never take the security of supply for granted.

With patients our absolute focus, we are looking forward to working closely with the Government on developing smart policies that will serve to ensure all Australians can continue to access affordable, high quality medicines, whenever they need them.” ENDS

Australia’s peak body for affordable medicines, today welcomed the Government’s launch of its Medicine-Medical Product Manufacturing Road Map, describing it as an exciting opportunity to build Australia’s capability as an advanced manufacturer and exporter of high quality and safe medicines.

The independent Chair of the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA), Ms Jane Halton AO, today applauded the initiative which is part of the Government’s $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI), announced before the last budget.

GBMA, and its members, have been working closely with the Government, and other key stakeholders, to protect patients against any disruption to the international medicine supply chains, especially at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic last year.

“Now, as we navigate through this destructive global pandemic, the Government has recognised that the medicines sector can, and should be, a priority enabler of our long term economic recovery,” Ms Halton said.

The Government’s road map outlines ‘investing in highly efficient and automated facilities could offer Australia some opportunities to manufacture certain generics and biosimilars.’

Board member and founding Chair of the largest Australian-owned pharmaceutical company Arrotex, Mr Dennis Bastas, was a key member of the Minister for Industry’s medicine manufacturing taskforce.

“We know medicine manufacturing has long been a sector slowly disappearing from our shores but with the advanced technology, innovation, the right policy levers, funding and industry will; we can see a vibrant and burgeoning home-grown, export-driven pharmaceutical sector develop again,” Mr Bastas said.

GBMA CEO, Ms Marnie Peterson, welcomed the innovative collaboration that the roadmap inspired.

“This roadmap recognises that Australia needs to build its own sovereign medicine manufacturing capability whilst ensuring patients can still access a reliable and resilient global supply chain of medicines,” Ms Peterson said.

We look forward to working closely with the Government in ensuring both outcomes can be achieved to the benefit of our economy and our citizens.”

For more information about the Government’s medicine manufacturing roadmap, please follow this link.

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