A new parliamentary report, ‘The New Frontier: Delivering better health for all Australians’, is recommending significant reforms to the health care system to ensure Australians have better and faster access to the wave of new medicines and technologies.

Throughout the 15-month bi-partisan parliamentary inquiry into the approval processes for new drugs and novel medical technologies in Australia, there were over 200 submissions received and held 13 days of public hearings, both of which ITP Australia participated.

The report outlines no less than 31 recommendations, all of which were tabled in federal parliament by the Chair of the Committee, Mr Trent Zimmerman MP. He said, ‘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.’

‘These innovations reflect the new frontier of medicine, which is giving hope to many for better treatments and technologies for conditions ranging from cancers to rare diseases. At its forefront is the development of personalised or precision medicine, which is being delivered as our understanding of fields – like genomics – grows.’

The Committee was moved by the testimony of patients and their families and inspired by the work of our researchers and medical scientists. The Committee was impressed by the professionalism of those working in the medicines and technology sectors and appreciative of the obvious dedication, co-operation and knowledge of those within the health department who assisted our deliberations in public and private hearings and through their submissions.’

‘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,’ Mr Zimmerman added.

Deputy Chair of the Committee, Dr Mike Freelander MP, made the following comments in relation to the Inquiry:

• We are at an inflection point in healthcare in Australia at the present time, because of the rapidly increasing treatments becoming available for conditions previously considered untreatable.
• This is particularly so in my own field of paediatrics.
• How Australians get access to these treatments in an equitable manner has been the main focus of our Inquiry.
• I have learnt a lot during the course of the Inquiry, and have been humbled by the experience.
• I am particularly grateful to the Chair, Trent Zimmerman, and to the incredibly hardworking Secretariat, without whose efforts the Inquiry would not have been possible.
• I am very grateful for the manner in which our Inquiry has been approached by staff at the Health Department, particularly Prof John Skerritt and his staff at the TGA, the PBAC and MSAC, who at all times gave their support and never refused to give us time for meetings.
• I reiterate my support and thanks for all those who presented to us.
• I’ve enjoyed the Inquiry and the bigger picture is to now get whoever is in government to act on our recommendations.

Download The New Frontier – Delivering better health for all Australians here.

View ITP Australia’s Submission here.

View the final report below.