Australian patients are being forced to wait up to 15 months longer to access the latest breakthrough medicines than in the US or Europe because drug companies are delaying bringing them down under, a new landmark report has revealed.

The independent review of the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) medicines and medical devices regulatory framework – released today – finds Australia’s safety regulator had one of the most efficient and consistent approval processes in the developed world.

This includes Australia being on average 90 days – or three months – faster than world-leaders Europe to approve new medicines as safe.

However, the review has also confirmed Australia is being unfairly categorised as ‘slow’ when compared to the rest of the world because some drug companies were making Australians wait for medicines while they first tested them in bigger markets like the US and Europe.

For example, the review found Australia waiting on average about six months longer than the US and Europe for drug companies to apply to list new medicines here. This includes:

• 148 days (or about five months) for anti-cancer medicines
• 231 days (or about seven months) for cardiovascular medicines
• 467 days (or about 15 months) for nervous system medicines

Minister for Health Sussan Ley said Australia continued to list drugs as quickly and efficiently as possible and was committed, through this review, to working with medicines manufacturers to improve approval process times, and cut red tape, without compromising quality.

“The Abbott Government continues to demonstrate our commitment to listing new drugs as fast as possible on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme by doubling Labor’s effort in half the time.

For more details, go to: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/health-mediarel-yr2015-ley078.htm