Following the unanimous advice of the Advisory Committee on Medicines Scheduling in August 2015, an important change that will help save lives comes into effect today for medicines containing codeine. Codeine is an opioid drug that can cause opioid tolerance, dependence, toxicity and in high doses, death. Many people also develop severe health issues due…
The Turnbull Government is boosting its commitment to preventive health by providing $10 million for new research projects that focus on preventing disease and keeping people out of hospital. These projects are the first investments under the Medical Research Future Fund in the Australian Prevention Partnership Centre. It’s part of the Turnbull Government’s unprecedented commitment…
The Turnbull Government has today launched a new national strategy to help tackle asthma, while also providing an additional $1 million for an asthma support program in schools. One in ten Australians suffer from asthma and it is one of the most common chronic conditions among children. This is a significant health challenge for individuals…
E&OE… Topics: Launch of the National Asthma Strategy, Bill Shorten’s plan to hurt 13 million Australians with private health insurance, codeine, cabinet records, Ron Walker GREG HUNT: I’m delighted to launch the National Asthma Strategy today. We know that there are 2.5 million Australians…
E&OE… Topics: Codeine; Innovation and Science Australia blueprint; border protection FRAN KELLY: Greg Hunt is the Federal Health Minister. Government is backing this codeine crackdown. Greg Hunt, thank you very much for joining us in the Breakfast studio. GREG HUNT: And…
Modelling by Deloitte shows that Labor’s plan to scrap lower-cost policies would result in a 16 per cent increase in private health insurance premiums for millions of Australians. That would make cover unaffordable for many individuals, families and pensioners. Labor has always hated private health insurance. In Government, Labor cut $4 billion from the rebate…
E&OE… Topics: Bill Shorten’s plan to hurt 13 million Australians with private health insurance GREG HUNT: Today, Bill Shorten was given two opportunities to rule out slashing the Private Health Insurance Rebate away from pensioners, away from young families, away from lower income earners. …
The Turnbull Government is improving Australia’s Life Saving Drugs Program to ensure patients with rare and life threatening diseases continue to get access to vital medicines. Patients will be better supported by a new process for listing drugs on the Program, which includes expanded criteria to consider medicines which both extend a patient’s life and…
The Turnbull Government is providing $20 million to run a new trial program, through community pharmacies across Australia, which will support people suffering from on-going chronic pain. Under the Pain MedsCheck trial pharmacists will assist patients who are taking medication to deal with on-going chronic pain of three or more months. Through the…
E&OE… Topics: Pain MedsCheck trial launch; lowest private health insurance premium change in 17 years GREG HUNT: I’m delighted to be here at the Vermont South Amcal Pharmacy with the part-owner, George Tambassis, who is also the president of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia,…