Review of Australia’s National Medicines Policy in progress and GPs are welcome to provide input, before the closing date: 8 October 2021.
First published in 2000, Australia’s National Medicines Policy (NMP) seeks to deliver positive health outcomes for all Australians through the optimal use of medicines. The policy brings together patients with all stakeholders of the medical sector and has four key objectives in mind:
- To deliver timely access to the medicines that Australians need, at a cost that individuals and the community can afford;
- For medicines to meet appropriate standards of quality, safety and efficacy;
- Ensure quality use of medicines; and
- Maintaining a responsible and viable medicines industry
Now, the Australian government has commissioned a review of the NMP, to adapt it to current times and meet the health challenges patients are facing today. For the purpose of this review, an expert Advisory Committee has been established to lead the Review of the NMP for the Department of Health. The Committee is chaired by Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd AM. Its members include Professor Lloyd Sansom AO; Mrs Janette Donovan; Dr Sarah Dineen-Griffin and Mr David Herd.
What will the review do?
The review is aimed at identifying any gaps in the NMP’s objectives, partnership approach and accountabilities. The Review of the NMP will:
- Evaluate the current NMP objectives and determine whether these should be modified or additional objectives included. This includes consideration of the proposed Principles to be included within the NMP.
- Consider the definition of medicines and whether the NMP needs to be expanded to include health technologies.
- Assess the NMP’s utility in the context of rapidly evolving treatments options, population changes, interconnected relationships and system-wide capacities.
- Consider the centricity of the consumer within the NMP and whether it captures the diversity of consumers’ needs and expectations.
- Identify options to improve the NMP’s governance; communications, implementation (including enablers) and evaluation.
- Review the NMP partners and provide options for building greater accountability including addressing conflicts of interest.
Interested?
Learn more about this review here: Review of the National Medicines Policy
Survey link: Review of the National Medicines Policy – Survey