Australian government and GBMA agree policy priorities for PBS and industry viability

Four policy priorities that will safeguard affordable access to medicines in Australia while ensuring the generic and biosimilar medicines industry remains viable have been agreed to by the federal government.

The Generic Medicines Working Group (GMWG), which was established under the Strategic Agreement signed by the Minister for Heath Sussan Ley and the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA), previously the Generic Medicines Industry Association (GMiA), in May 2015, has identified four policy priorities that have been endorsed by the Minister. The four policy priorities relate to:

1. Pricing policy, supply and industry viability
2. Uptake drivers for generic and biosimilar medicines
3. Biosimilar medicines – patient access and utilization
4. Transparency of PBS processes

Under the strategic agreement between the Commonwealth and the GBMA, both parties will work together to identify and implement initiatives to support the ongoing sustainability of the generic medicines sector.

“GBMA and the government have a common interest in the ongoing and reliable access to affordable generic medicines and biosimilars, a strong Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) that can meet the current and future needs of Australians, and having a sustainable generic medicines sector,” said GBMA chairman, Allan Tillack.