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…
E&OE… Topics: Additions to PBS, COVID vaccines, pre-flight testing, hotel quarantine systems, update on new strains. GREG HUNT: I want to thank Australians for their work and their contribution during what has been a different and, in some cases, difficult Christmas. But it’s been a safe Christmas, and that’s been immensely important.…
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…
E&OE… Topics: COVID vaccine distribution announcement; March rollout; University of Queensland COVID vaccine; Priority groups. ROSS STEVENSON: Well we know the United States, we know parts of Europe now have started distributing and giving out the COVID-19 vaccines. Australia is going to happen in March, but today some significant news from the…
E&OE… Topics: COVID vaccine distribution announcement; Distribution to remote communities; Emergency rollout before March; Positive healthcare worker who transported aged care resident. DAVID CAMPBELL: There’s another milestone in Australia’s race for a coronavirus vaccine thing morning – the Federal Government revealing new details on exactly how the jab will be distributed across the…
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…
E&OE… Topics: Northern beaches cluster; Commonwealth assistance; Bringing vaccine rollout forward; Crosby Textor survey; Border closures; Sydney quarantine and checkpoints; National cabinet. CHRIS SMITH: The Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, addressed the nation yesterday and his message was clear: stay on guard and follow the rules in the lead up to Christmas. Now…
E&OE… Topics: Northern beaches COVID-19 cluster; Testing and contact tracing; Mental health support; TGA vaccine assessments. BELINDA RUSSELL: Holiday plans have been cancelled for Australians right across the country. State border closures are back as COVID rears its head in Sydney once again. DAVID CAMPBELL: But despite the despair, Health Minister Greg…