3 May 2016 - The Turnbull Government will increase its investment in health, aged care and sport to $89.5 billion in 2016–17, an increase of 4.1 per cent on 2015–16.

Access to vital life-saving medicines and medical devices will be fast tracked by up to two years as a result of bold reforms that will make Australia a more attractive place to invest and innovate.

This will break down barriers that see Australians currently waiting up to 15 months longer than patients in the US and Europe to access medical breakthroughs, as well as cutting years off waiting times to access treatments for rare conditions.

The reform package will cost $20.4 million, but is expected to deliver hundreds of millions of dollars in returns for the nation’s economy through improved patient health outcomes, innovation and research.

The Government will also provide an extra $63.8 million over five years for Australians to access affordable drugs to treat a range of conditions including breast and prostate cancer and melanoma.

This builds on the passage of the Coalition’s pharmacy and medicine price reforms last year, which will continue to roll out in 2016–17 with the cost of everyday medicines for Australians expected to drop by as much as half from October 2016. Pharmacists will also receive significant ongoing support, including for primary care programs, through a five-year, $18.9 billion agreement.

For more details, go to: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/budget2016-mediarel-ley001.htm