Post by Novartis, Australia & New Zealand

A new report from Medicines Australia, Access Denied, shows Australia is at risk of falling behind in medicines access. Only 26% of new medicines available across other economically developed countries are launched in Australia. At the same time, close to one in two Australians have been prescribed medicines that are not on the PBS. The result is a system that is increasingly leaving patients with either costly private access or no access at all to innovative treatments. This is no longer just a question of how long it takes to access new treatments. It is increasingly about whether they are available in Australia at all. We believe that Australians deserve equitable access to medicines when are where they are needed. Innovation only delivers its full value when it reaches patients, and when access does not keep pace, the gap between what is possible and what people experience continues to grow. Without change to keep up with innovation and the external environment, there is a real risk that Australia continues to move further down the global queue. Ensuring the PBS, and broader healthcare system, evolves to support timely access to medicines is critical. This is a moment to act. Government and industry have a shared opportunity to modernise our healthcare system, better recognise the value of new medicines, and strengthen Australia’s position as a destination for innovation.  Because ultimately, this is about patients and making sure Australians are not left behind. Read the full Medicines Australia Access Denied Report here: https://lnkd.in/egtSa9V4