Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee [Part 2], , 2:04:06 to 2:08:37
Officials discuss negotiations for new strategic agreements with Medicines Australia and GBMA, focusing on HTA review recommendations and PBS listing timelines.
Topics: Health, Procurement
Speakers: Chris Gatenby, Daniel McCabe, Blair Comley, Senator Nita Green, Unknown Speaker
Um, sorry. I'm just going to go back to um the strategic agreement with medicines Australia and GBMA And I think we've got to what the status of negotiations are with MA and GBMA. Um, but what's the government's key goals in relation to the agreement? specifically the implementation of the recommendations from the HDA review that were provided to the government some
>> So Senator um some of the uh recommendations uh will likely be con be considered as part of the negotiations and that's really a matter not only for government but also for industry. Um so we we need to get into those negotiations and work through um which recommendations are both um industry is interested in pursuing through the
>> But in terms of any key goals, you know, if it's about access about the new tech, you know, there's new types of therapies, uh clinical groups, different, you know, what is it? Is there anything particular that you're looking to um I guess achieve out of this outside of the normal process? Is there anything new in the in the new
process? I think Senator that really does go to the negotiation. I mean at a high level what government is trying to achieve is access to highquality medicines in Australia in a way that is affordable for the whole system. >> Digging a long way below that does get us into the conversation we're having with the industry which is a a a genuine um well it's genuine negotiations. So it's genuinely something that we are working with medicines Australia, GBMA and obviously they're representing the member country companies that come before. So we have been engaging with those bodies very much on [clears throat] the sense that we do need to have a degree of confidentiality in the discussions to allow to have a a sensible negotiation and and I think it just would be difficult for us to kind of run through our interest lists or or positions at this point given the nature of those negotiations.
>> Okay. And has the peback chair or executives been consulted with part of your you know negotiations in the background for the strategic negotiation? Have they been? So we have
um been keeping um the PBAC chair and deputy chair a breast of the discussions that we're having um um but we are still to formally get into negotiations with industry
>> and does the department know whether so will that agreement and the Hair reforms likely be in next year's budget? It might be a question for the minister even um if that agreement and that ad share reforms and the costs associated with that will be in the next year's budget. Do you expect that minister?
>> Uh the agreement expires next financial we will we will negotiate in good faith and um uh hopefully uh be able to um come to an agreement before the expiry
see some of those in the May budget, noting that, you know, ahead of next June, one July is when the new one, I guess, will begin. Um,
>> yeah, we wouldn't preempt budget decisions in estimates. Sorry, Senator.
>> So, you can't guarantee that just yet.
Um, >> well, I mean, that's the the time frame is the end of next financial year. So, there is a budget between now and then. what what what depends uh what will be in the agreement um is a matter for the negotiations between the government and
>> And how many medicines that were recommended by payback in 2024 and 25 are not yet listed on the PBS.
So, Senator, um we have uh 46 medicines that are uh still yet to get into an agreement with pharmaceutical companies from 24 and 25. Uh we did have a question on notice um from June. It's actually gone down by six. Uh and we are um close to finalizing a number of other
I've got some questions for the TGA later. Um, chair, I think I'll leave