By mid-2021, volunteers aged between 18 and 75 years will be recruited for an accelerated clinical trial of two ‘next generation’ vaccines against COVID-19, developed by researchers at the University of Melbourne. These clinical trials are among six chosen to receive immediate funding totalling $10.1 million from the Morrison Government’s Medical Research Future Fund’s…
The first day of the new year will bring with it new hope for Australians fighting one of the most common blood cancers, thanks to a critical new medicines listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). From 1 January 2021, Darzalex® (daratumumab) will be listed for the first time in combination with bortezomib and…
Contracts have been signed with companies to partner with the Australian Government to safely distribute COVID-19 vaccines to all Australians from March next year. The contracts cover three vital aspects of the vaccine rollout: Distribution and logistics— industry leading providers DHL and Linfox will undertake COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Data—Accenture will provide tracking of…
The Coalition Government is providing more than $100 million for regional, rural and remote pharmacies to better support their communities through an expansion to a critical regional pharmacy program. Over 400 additional pharmacies will be eligible for the Regional Pharmacy Maintenance Allowance (RPMA) program under changes announced today, with very remote pharmacies receiving significant additional…
The Government is responding to the independent regulatory decision of the TGA today with a range of measures to support the cessation of smoking, and to help prevent teenagers taking up pathways to smoking. As noted in the TGA decision (https://www.tga.gov.au/scheduling-decision-final/notice-final-decision-amend-current-poisons-standard-nicotine), from 1 October 2021, consumers importing nicotine will require a doctor’s prescription to…
The Australian Government’s ongoing reforms to private health insurance have resulted in the lowest annual average premium change for consumers since 2001 – 2.74 per cent. The 2.74 per cent average industry change from 1 April 2021 – the lowest change in 20 years – is over 50 per cent lower than premium rises…
A significant lung cancer treatment option that costs approximately $88,000 a year will soon be available for as little as $6.60 per script, thanks to its expanded listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). From 1 January 2021, Australians living with non-small cell lung cancer who have not had prior therapy will benefit from…
The Morrison Government is continuing its support for world leading medical research by contributing an additional $172.5 million to supplement the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) in 2021-22. The MRFF reached its $20 billion maturity in July 2020, however the historic low RBA cash rate has reduced the amount available through the MRFF to…
An important education campaign will be rolled out to inform Australians ahead of the COVID-19 vaccination program. The vaccination roll-out will be a complex task and it will be important that people understand the process with the first vaccinations on track for early next year. Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said the Mid-Year…
Frankston’s National Centre for Healthy Ageing moved one step closer with the turning of the Sod for Frankston Hospital’s new Academic Centre. The Morrison Government has invested $32 million into the National Centre for Healthy Ageing and the completed Academic Centre will house part of the National Centre. Federal Member for Flinders, the…