Minister for Health & Ageing, the Hon Greg Hunt MP, applauded for two decades of public service

On the day Mr Hunt announced he would be retiring at the next federal election, the Generic and Biosimilars Medicines Association (GBMA), applauded a 20-year political career, particularly with respect to the medicines and healthcare sector.

The Independent Chair of the GBMA and former Secretary of the departments of Health and Finance, Ms Jane Halton AO PSM, paid tribute to Minister Hunt. “We thank the Minister for the way he has worked with us constructively and collectively to deliver advancements in health care policy and medicine access”.

The announcement came on the same day that the Senate passed landmark laws (National Health Amendment (Enhancing the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) Bill 2021) that provide all Australians with greater protection against ongoing medicine shortages.

From working with Minister Hunt throughout the pandemic ensuring all Australians continue to access the medicines they need, to introducing Active Ingredient Prescribing, launching the $5million GBMA Biosimilar Education Fund to negotiating a new five-year Strategic Agreement, Ms Halton said the affordable medicine sector has always appreciated Mr Hunt’s compassionate approach to medicines policy.

Ms Halton, is also Chair of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and Co-Chair of the COVAX initiative. She said the GBMA and Minister Hunt share the values of ensuring the needs of the most vulnerable of Australians were at the forefront of every policy decision.

“The past two years have been the most fraught and difficult that any Minister for Health could face,” Ms Halton said. “Minister Hunt stepped up to the challenge to ensure Australians have been protected from the brunt of this global health crisis”.

The CEO of the GBMA, Ms Marnie Peterson said that the affordable medicine sector had enjoyed a long and positive collaboration with Minister Hunt and his team.

“Thanks to Minister Hunt’s relentless dedication, attention and diligence, Australians can now be better protected against medicine shortages,” Ms Peterson said. “All Australians should take comfort in the knowledge that when Mr Hunt hands over the Health portfolio to a new Minister, they are assured of equitable access to safe and affordable medicines”.

“Our mutual driving motivation has always been the health, safety and wellbeing of all Australians, said Ms Peterson. “We wish Mr Hunt well in his future endeavours and we have no doubt that, he will look back on his time as Minister for Health and Ageing with a strong sense of pride and achievement.”