MedNews Aust/NZ

After the PBAC moved to defer 45 submissions from its March 2025 meeting saying its limit was 32 submissions due to evaluator capacity (https://lnkd.in/gUYvn4sm), MedNews Aust/NZ investigated why. What we uncovered is a system that severely limits evaluator groups (that sit in universities) through overly strict conflict of interest rules while both the government and universities keep the lion's share of fees paid by sponsors for evaluations. Essentially, we found Australia's HTA evaluators are overworked and underpaid. "The system has become more onerous for both sides as the ideology of PBAC shifted from a cost effectiveness committee to a de facto price negotiator," said one source. Evaluating the cost effectiveness of new medicines and medical technologies is highly specialised work, but it seems Australia's Department of Health and Aged Care has focused too much on implementing rules and too little on building capacity in evaluator groups, leading to a crisis where it cannot manage the workload of a single PBAC meeting. Full investigation exclusively in MedNews Aust/NZ (paywall). #investigativejournalism #storytelling #exposethetruth

Rebecca McQualter is an incredible story of #success and in this story by Camilla Jury, Bec tells of how she always wanted to lead a company - even in her youth. With a PhD in cell therapy, Bec is perfectly matched with Chimeric Therapeutics, where she is currently leading the team as COO. ‘If you want to be a CEO, try every role you can,’ says Bec, who started her career in pharma as a sales rep and has risen to a top #leadership role in a great Aussie #biotech. Read her story in full in MedNews Aust/NZ (paywall). #femaleleader #sciencecareers #celltherapy

GSK has named its Vice President and Medicine Commercialisation Lead for its Lupus franchise and Aussie expat Andrew Thomas as its next General Manager for Australia, to replace Patrick Desbiens who has been in the role for three years. Thomas joined GSK 18 years ago but has been in overseas roles for a decade, the new role seeing him leave London to return to Melbourne, commencing in the job on 1 October. Patrick, a Senior Vice President, has worked with GSK for almost three decades and brought this depth of experience to the Medicines Australia Board, serving as a director. GSK is yet to announce his next position. MedNews Aust/NZ congratulates Andrew on his appointment and looks forward to seeing what opportunity Patrick chooses to take on next. #newopportunity #leadership #welcomeback #jobwelldone

Dan Ollendorf was the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER)'s first employee, joining in 2007 and returning to ICER late last year. 'Having been there from the very beginning, I never really got ICER out of my blood. I'm a huge proponent of #HTA,' Dr Ollendorf told MedNews Aust/NZ. In this interview, he talks about ICER's history, vision, and the challenges facing the institute today as costly #cellandgene therapies threaten the #sustainability of health systems. A legend in his field, Dr Ollendorf has also contributed enormously to global policy development as the immediate past chair of the Health Technology Assessment international (HTAi) Global Policy Forum. Full story: https://lnkd.in/gUAT9gCW #livinglegend #heor #healthpolicy #marketaccess #healtheconomics

Great session moderated by Kylie Sproston FTSE GAICD with Sarah Fitt, Prof John Skerritt and Prof Andrew Wilson on whether and how sustainability and environmental impacts can be considered in regulatory, HTA and procurement decisions in healthcare. Full story in tomorrow’s MedNews Aust/NZ. #sustainability #savethepatients #savetheplanet

I recently visited Amgen's Australian affiliate in Sydney and had the chance to share my “why” with local media. Thank you, Megan Brodie, for an enjoyable conversation and humbling article. As healthcare professionals and industry leaders, it’s easy to get bogged down in day-to-day tactics and deliverables. However, when you remember that what we do touches families, friends and neighbors, we can then work with a sense of renewed purpose. So many patients are struggling with unmet needs, and the work we do can potentially offer them hope. Let’s keep them top of mind every day as we seek to offer solutions for every patient. #MyCompany

"I believe we are at the dawn of a hinge moment in drug development," says Amgen's Chief Medical Officer, Paul Burton MD. "Bispecific T cell engagement platforms, immunotherapeutics, targeted small molecules - we truly are at a jumping-off point in being able to take fatal diseases without therapeutic options and give people hope and life." Giving people hope and life is Dr Burton's life purpose. Having lost his grandmother then his mother to disease, he has dedicated his life to bringing new and effective therapies to patients. Dr Burton joined Amgen at the beginning of his career and returned last year as CMO - and he couldn't be happier. This wonderful story of a boy who dreamed of #savinglives, and of a man who has saved more than can be counted, features exclusively in MedNews Aust/NZ. #purposedriven #patientdriven #makingitcount #lifepurpose

The 2024 On Q Job Satisfaction & Salary Survey is closing in 10 days! Click here to take the survey and get a free copy of the latest salary report - https://lnkd.in/gki-2iNe By participating in the survey, you can: ✔Establish benchmarks for your industry and role. ✔Gain valuable insights into the current job market and industry trends. ✔Get immediate access to the latest Job Satisfaction & Salary Report. ✔Receive a complimentary copy of the 2024 Job Satisfaction & Salary Report. ✔Win a $100 Visa gift card. Two lucky winners are chosen each week.

Cliff Goodman is a legend in #HTA having entered the field back in the 1980s. He shared his insights on the challenges and opportunities confronting HTA today with Megan Brodie in an interview at the Health Technology Assessment international (HTAi) conference in Seville last week. Well worth the read!

A great piece by rookie journalist Camilla Jury on #agiletransformation in Australian pharma companies focusing on Bayer and Roche. Having worked in corporate affairs at Novartis, Camilla brings a different perspective to her #storytelling, helping MedNews keep its readers engaged and informed on stories that matter.