18 Septrember 2015 - Medicines Australia is pleased to see the publication of the awaited report from the Senate Inquiry into the Availability of new, innovative and specialist cancer drugs in Australia.

Medicines Australia will take some time to review the report in more detail over the coming days. However, the peak body representing the innovative medicines industry broadly supports the principal recommendations in the report.

In its submission to the Senate Inquiry, Medicines Australia recommended that Government work with industry to develop innovative access models, commit to expert oncology and consumer input as central to the decision making process, and implement system efficiencies to deliver faster access for patients.

Medicines Australia CEO Tim James said, “New, innovative and specialised cancer medicines are a key driver of increases in patient survival, but the waiting time to list cancer medicines on the PBS is taking too long.”

“Australian patients wait six months longer for access to cancer medicines than other types of medicines, and on average 1.6 years from TGA registration to PBS listing. We believe cancer patients, namely the one in two Australians who will develop cancer during their lifetime, deserve better.

For more details, go to: https://medicinesaustralia.com.au/media-release/cancer-medicines-inquiry-recommendations-are-good-news-for-consumers/