Australian Senate review of cancer medicines calls for radical changes

An Australian Senate Committee inquiry has issued its findings and has recommended the government reviews the way in which new medicines are approved and subsidized. The Committee was looking into access to a number of new cancer drugs in Australia, some of which are prohibitively expensive for the majority of patients.

Trade group Medicines Australia says it is pleased to see the publication of the awaited report and, while planned a more detailed response, broadly supports the principal recommendations. In its submission to the Senate Inquiry, Medicines Australia recommended that government work with industry to develop innovative access models, commit to expert oncology and consumer input as central to the decision making process, and implement system efficiencies to deliver faster access for patients.

Medicines Australia chief executive Tim James said,:“New, innovative and specialized cancer medicines are a key driver of increases in patient survival, but the waiting time to list cancer medicines on the PBS is taking too long.”