Global pharmaceutical company Sandoz has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to begin consultation on faster access to life-saving medicines and proposed changes to prescribing practices for biosimilar medicines as part of the 2026–27 Budget.
The company says the consultation represents an opportunity for the healthcare sector to work together to improve affordability and access to treatment while supporting the long-term sustainability of the PBS.
Clint Holland, Sandoz General Manager for Australia and New Zealand, says the reforms around biosimilar medicines could help lower out-of-pocket costs for patients and create savings within the PBS.
“This announced consultation presents a strong opportunity for the entire health ecosystem to continue working together and ensure patients have more affordable access to life-changing medicines,” he says.
“Savings achieved through biosimilar policy reform create the headroom for the PBS to invest in innovation so that Australians have access to the latest treatments while safeguarding the sustainability of the PBS.”
Mr Holland says that while “the consultation process is an excellent first step, more needs to be done to ensure appropriate incentives are provided to both patients and clinicians”.
“Levers to drive biosimilar change could include lower co-payments for patients and reduced PBS authority burden for clinicians,” he says.
“We now have an opportunity to bring Australia’s biosimilar policy in line with best practices adopted in other OECD countries to great success.
“We look forward to working with all stakeholders and we encourage patients, healthcare professionals, and industry to contribute their views on the proposed changes to inform balanced and effective policy decisions.
“At this time, we look forward to hearing more details about the consultation process and we will work closely with the Government, industry, clinicians, pharmacists and most importantly, patient advocacy groups.
“We can all work together to ensure timely, equitable and affordable access to life-changing medicines.”
