News 2021 Archives | Generic Biosimilar Medicines Association

Patients and economy to benefit from ‘medicine manufacturing’ roadmap

March 2, 2021 By Admin

2 March 2021

Canberra, ACT

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.

-ENDS-

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

ENQUIRIES

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

Active Ingredient Prescribing – a game changer for patients: Prescription reforms to further support patient safety

February 1, 2021 By Admin

1 February 2021

Canberra, ACT

Canberra: Australia’s patients will be the big winners out of a new law that will prioritise the active ingredient over the brand name of a medicine, for all eligible prescriptions generated under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Repatriation PBS (RPBS) prescriptions.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA), Ms Marnie Peterson, said the reforms, effective from February 01 2021, will support patient safety by making it easier for patients to identify a medicine’s active ingredient and to discuss, with their prescriber or pharmacist, generic alternatives for their medications. This is particularly valuable during times when a particular brand of medicine is in short supply.

“We congratulate the Minister for Health, Mr Greg Hunt MP, for introducing these changes that will empower patients to better understand the active ingredients of medicines, whilst reducing their out of pocket costs,” Ms Peterson said.

Active Ingredient Prescribing (AIP) aims to increase consumer understanding of their medicines, assist with health literacy and communication, and increase the uptake of generic and biosimilar medicines, whilst retaining choice for both prescribers and patients. By driving further generic and biosimilar uptake, the measure also supports the delivery of savings to an already overwhelmed health budget and is expected to improve the financial stability of the PBS.

The new Independent Chair of GBMA, Ms Jane Halton AO PSM, welcomed Australia’s Active Ingredient Prescribing laws, which brings Australia’s prescribing practices into alignment with international standards, supporting improvements to patient safety through standardised descriptions of medicines.

“Not only is this reform a game changer for Australian patients,” Ms Halton said. “but it truly showcases the Australian Government’s commitment in empowering patients with more knowledge and a better understanding of their medicines. This is of key importance in the current COVID-19 environment.”

The implementation of the AIP reforms was negotiated by the GBMA as part of its existing strategic agreement with the Australian Government.

Jane Halton AO PSM is the Chair of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovationsand Co-Chair of the COVAX initiative. Ms Halton is also a member of Prime Minister’s COVID-19 Coordination Commission advisory committee. ENDS