Approval processes to be scrutinised for new drugs and medical technologies

ON THURSDAY 11 and Friday 12 March 2021, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport will hold two days of public hearings in Sydney as part of the committee’s ongoing inquiry into approval processes for new drugs and novel medical technologies in Australia.

The committee will hear evidence from numerous stakeholders including patient advocacy groups, clinician and research bodies, and industry. Witnesses will include rare disease advocates from Rare Voices Australia, and representatives from the Medical Technology Association of Australia. ​The program for the hearings is available on the committee’s website.

The chair of the committee, Trent Zimmerman MP, said, "The inquiry has received a lot of interest with 185 submissions to date. At the public hearing, the committee will hear from stakeholders to find out how Australia’s approval systems and funding for new medicines and novel medical technologies will provide the best possible outcomes for all Australians now and into the future.

"The hearings will give the committee a better sense of the perspectives of those who are at the new medicines and medical technology coalface, from research and development all the way through to patients receiving new drugs and medical devices," Mr Zimmerman said.

Further information about the committee’s inquiry including the full terms of reference are also available at the website. Seating at the public hearing will be limited due to Covid restrictions so interested parties are encouraged to listen to the audio live streaming.

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