Australia Tackles Prescription Costs
Pharmaceutical Executive
The Australian government has an unusual plan for reducing prescription drug costs: enlist the help of pharma sales reps to explain the country's pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS) prescribing requirements to doctors.
The Australian government has an unusual plan for reducing prescription drug costs: enlist the help of pharma sales reps to explain the country's pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS) prescribing requirements to doctors.
The PBS has subsidized drug prices for more than 50 years, but medication costs have escalated recently, partly as a result of inappropriate prescribing. The Australian Pharmaceutical Manufac-turers Association (APMA) proposed the idea because it believes its representatives are well placed to explain the restric-tions the PBS places on their company's products. The government also announced several other measures aimed at reducing PBS expenditures by a total of A$1.9 billion during the next four years.
One measure increases the amount patients must pay for each prescription by A$1 for concessional cardholders to A$6.20 for general patients. That measure alone may save A$1.1 billion over the four-year period. Yet, APMA slammed the initiative, claiming it will put essential medicines out of many patients' reach. Its research shows, in fact, that much of the savings will come from patients' inability to afford their prescriptions. (See "Total Savings to Government.")
Total Savings to Government
APMA is also unhappy about the government's agreement with generics manufacturers, which will make doctors' automatic prescribing systems default to the generic version unless the doctor overrides it. In return, generics manufacturers will reduce prices.
Pfizer, GSK Gain ACIP Recommendations for RSV and Meningococcal Vaccines
April 18th 2025The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to expand access to Pfizer’s respiratory syncytial virus vaccine Abrysvo for high-risk adults in their 50s and voted in favor of GSK’s meningococcal vaccine, Penmenvy, for streamlined adolescent protection.
Addressing Disparities in Psoriasis Trials: Takeda's Strategies for Inclusivity in Clinical Research
April 14th 2025LaShell Robinson, Head of Global Feasibility and Trial Equity at Takeda, speaks about the company's strategies to engage patients in underrepresented populations in its phase III psoriasis trials.
Study: GLP-1, SGLT2s Linked to Reduced Alzheimer Disease Risk in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
April 17th 2025A new study found that patients with type 2 diabetes treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors demonstrated lower risks of developing Alzheimer disease compared to other glucose-lowering drugs.
Beyond the Prescription: Pharma's Role in Digital Health Conversations
April 1st 2025Join us for an insightful conversation with Jennifer Harakal, Head of Regulatory Affairs at Canopy Life Sciences, as we unpack the evolving intersection of social media and healthcare decisions. Discover how pharmaceutical companies can navigate regulatory challenges while meaningfully engaging with consumers in digital spaces. Jennifer shares expert strategies for responsible marketing, working with influencers, and creating educational content that bridges the gap between patients and healthcare providers. A must-listen for pharma marketers looking to build trust and compliance in today's social media landscape.
New Insights Into T Cell Exhaustion and Inflammation in Long COVID
April 17th 2025Nigel McCracken, chief operating officer, Virax Biolabs, discusses new findings that reveal altered cytokine activity and evidence of T cell exhaustion in long COVID patients, providing deeper insight into post-infection immune disruption.
