Landmark Bill will strengthen patient access to new meds in Australia

Australians are expected to see improved access to new and innovative medicines, vaccines and treatments as a landmark Bill passes in Parliament today.

The recently legislated laws will ensure funding for new medicines in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), as well as several new initiatives that elevate Australian patients and their real-life experiences. Patients becoming more engaged in key decision-making processes is a progressive step forward that will benefit our whole health system. Involving more patients to share their real-world evidence will place a higher value on medicines and treatments that give patients better quality of life and improved health outcomes.

The new legislation formalizes elements of the five-year Strategic Agreement, which was signed by the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt MP, and trade group Medicines Australia in September this year.