Significant reforms to the health care system, to ensure Australians have better access to new medicines and technologies, have been recommended in a new parliamentary report. The changes aim to improve the way in which new innovations meet current health technology assessment processes.
As a result of its 15-month inquiry period, 200 submissions and 13 days of public hearings, The New Frontier: Delivering better health for all Australians bipartisan report makes 31 recommendations with the hope patients receive timely access to new treatments. There is particular focus on the development of personalised medicine, delivered in line with the increasing understanding of genomics.
We are witnessing what will be a revolution in the treatment of many conditions, as our understanding of genomics and the development of precision medicine develops
Trent Zimmerman MP, Chair of the Committee, said, “I believe that all the Committee’s recommendations will make a real difference to the lives of Australian patients as well as industry and the R&D sector, including the clinical trials sector.
“We are witnessing what will be a revolution in the treatment of many conditions, as our understanding of genomics and the development of precision medicine develops. In so many other areas we are also seeing progress in drugs and technology, which has been reflected in the development of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.”
Dr Mike Freelander MP, Deputy Chair of the Committee, commented on the “infliction point in healthcare in Australia” due to the “rapidly increasing treatments becoming available for conditions previously considered untreatable.
“How Australians get access to these treatments in an equitable manner has been the main focus of our Inquiry,” said Dr Freelander.
The New Frontier: Delivering better health for all Australians report is available here.
