Expanded PBS medicines listings to provide new treatment options for over 170,000 asthmatics, and new hope for blood cancer patients

Health, Media Releases1 June 2020

Australians with asthma and multiple myeloma will have broader access to life changing medicines as a result of expanded medicines listings on Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 June 2020. The listing of Symbicort® (containing budesonide and formoterol) will now be available at PBS prices for adolescent and adult patients with mild asthma. Symbicort will…

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Four times as many people trying to quit smoking during COVID-19

Health, Media Releases1 June 2020

Today, on World No Tobacco Day, I encourage all smokers to call the Quitline and download the My Quitbuddy app to help them quit. Smokers who do so will be in good company – between January and May this year, the My Quitbuddy app was downloaded more than 24,000 times, a staggering 310 per cent…

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$2 million investment to extend Reclink National Program

Health, Media Releases29 May 2020

The Australian Government is investing $2 million to extend the Reclink National Program to deliver sport and recreation activities to people who may miss out on the health benefits of regular physical activity. The Government encourages people across Australia to be physically active no matter what their circumstances or ability. Australians love their sport. The…

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Transcript – Press Conference – Canberra

Health, Media Releases28 May 2020

E&OE…                       Topics: $9.5 million in funding for endometriosis research; importance of maintaining general health; COVID-19 update; National Cabinet; industrial relations; face masks; Job Keeper package; extension of the Dental National Partnership Agreement; social distancing regulations; private hospitals viability guarantee; Newscorp publishing changes.   GREG HUNT: Good afternoon and thank you for joining us for…

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Funding boost for endometriosis research

Health, Media Releases28 May 2020

The Morrison Government is continuing its strong support for women and girls with endometriosis, investing more than $9.5 million in five innovative research projects.   The projects will lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis and a better understanding of its causes. They include creating an evidence base for clinical care, comparing treatment options…

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Record flu vaccines in 2020 to protect Australians

Health, Media Releases27 May 2020

An additional two million flu vaccines will available from this week bringing the total number available in 2020 to a record 18 million. This is up from 13.2 million flu vaccines in 2019, 11 million in 2018 and almost 10 million more than the 8.3 million flu vaccines provided in 2017. Vaccinating against the flu…

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Mental health first aid training for medical students

Health, Media Releases27 May 2020

Medical students across Australia will soon receive basic mental health first aid training to ensure they can recognise and respond to the extra stresses associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Australian Government will provide $690,000 to the Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand to support mental health first aid training for all medical students. The…

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Remote travel restrictions lifted in the Northern Territory

Health, Media Releases26 May 2020

Travel restrictions across remote communities in the Northern Territory will be lifted from Friday, 5 June 2020. The Australian Government has taken this action in response to a request by the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Hon Michael Gunner MLA, to withdraw from the Emergency Determination under the Biosecurity Act 2015. This decision has…

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Additional $20 million for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Research

Health, Media Releases25 May 2020

The Australian Government is providing more than $20 million additional funding for research to improve mental health care and reduce suicide rates in Australia.   Mental health and suicide prevention remains one of the Government’s highest priorities.   Almost half of Australians will experience a mental illness in their lifetimes and as we battle COVID-19…

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World-leading COVIDSafe app working and delivering

Health, Media Releases24 May 2020

The Australian Government’s COVIDSafe app has reached six million downloads less than a month after being launched by Australia’s health leaders. The app is helping state and territory public health officials automate and improve manual contact tracing of the coronavirus.   Since its launch, the COVIDSafe app has received widespread support and endorsement from across…

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