Call to 'prioritize investment' in the PBS to improve access to all cancer medicines in Australia

The 25 recommendations released in the Australian Senate Select Committee report reveal the challenges the country faces to ensure that all Australians get access to the treatments and medicines they need when they need them, regardless of the type of disease.

Commenting on the findings of the report, titled Funding for Research into Cancers with Low Survival Rates, trade group Medicines Australia says that the recommendations are a comprehensive response to the issue and cover research funding and coordination; clinical trial awareness, access and approvals for treatment; improving early detection and identification; repurposing existing medicines; fast-tracking innovative treatments and the utilisation of genomic research; patient care; costs; and navigation through the disease processes.

Medicines Australia particularly supports the Senate Committee’s recommendations that call for a more flexible approach for the listing of breakthrough medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).