The 'Dispatched' Podcast

We discuss the terrible treatment of the nurse-led Centre for Community-Driven Research and why everyone should be alarmed. We also ponder the almost $60 million the federal government has agreed to pay the TGA's landlord for its new laboratories.

A busy 'week in review' with a discussion about the 'confidentiality' arrangement for the HTA review, with someone who knows all about those things, and a focus on yesterday's Senate Estimates hearing that saw some very interesting revelations and a new dynamic between the committee and officials.

Are Australian patients getting Pharmac by stealth? How is it happening and how can it be stopped? Why everyone should be concerned about changes in one important area of health and the 'Occam’s razor' in the evolution of change.

What did the finance department tell the HTA review reference committee about its draft terms of reference? The TGA is looking for a new leader and there is a new home for genomics policy. We also respond to a question about the wider implications of an 'approach to market' for diabetes products.

Another week of consternation about the health technology assessment review and some questions from the audience, including one that challenges the exclusion of people from the consultation process but another that doubts there was any alternative.

The year starts with another controversy, this time over the draft terms of reference for the health technology assessment review. We discuss why nobody should be surprised and respond to questions from the audience about a potential solution and why confidentiality requirements are not a feature of other major reviews in health.

We take a month-to-month look at 2022 with so many events, outcomes and the fallout of processes. What does it all mean, what does it say about the year and what should we all expect in 2023?

What is a 'probity adviser' and why has one been appointed to the health technology assessment review? Events in New Zealand continue to evolve with one patient leader making a blunt diagnosis of what's ailing the Pharmac CEO. We also answer a question about 'ministerial discretion' and suggest the real process is only just beginning.

The year is ending with companies receiving disappointing news on their requests for relief from next April's 'catch-up' reduction day. What does it mean now and for 2023? The horizon scanning forum and the need for clarity from the health minister about what he wants from this and all the other ongoing processes. Audience questions focus on the 'renaissance' of Australian...

This week's Pfizer 'Invites' event featured an interesting expert discussion on pandemic preparedness. We answer lots of listener questions on that issue and other topics, including why the medical device and frankly all stakeholders should push for close parliamentary scrutiny of three pieces of new legislation.

It is the anniversary of the report of the parliamentary inquiry into approval processes for new medicines and medical technologies and still no government response, but we do have the outcome of the review of the base-case discount rate. They both say so much about the current state of policy-making in Australia. We also answer audience questions on top-down patient consultation and whether every...

We discuss the response to the reports of a problematic culture at the heart of HTA decision-making, the need for greater alignment across the pharmaceutical, medical device and diagnostic sectors, and answer your questions about statutory price reductions and patient 'consultation' processes.

We are joined by Better Access Australia chair Felicity McNeill to respond to questions submitted by listeners and give a shout-out to one patient advocate who in one social media post articulated a clear critique of PBS decision-making. We also discuss why more HTA is not a solution to delays in funded access.

We discuss Monday's Post-Budget Summit and a discussion that revealed an opportunity for a refreshed approach to political engagement. Medicines Australia has a new set of directors who will need to deal with a long-standing challenge and a raft of issues with its new agreement with the federal government. Next week is Senate Estimates and we would like to hear from you.

A busy week with the Albanese government delivering its first Budget. The reduction in the general PBS co-payment was a centrepiece. The Senate backed the enabling legislation with a very subtle but powerful amendment that proves the importance of detail in advocacy. The amendment and how it was achieved is an important lesson for stakeholders in how they approach the much-anticipated HTA review.

We review this Budget week, how it has changed over the years and what else might be revealed by Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Are some Senators pushing to amend the proposed PBS co-payment reduction? How is it a good idea to reduce patient participation in post-market reviews and why the discussion on health technology assessment is the policy equivalent of 'quick sand'?

A new review of Australia's pandemic response confirms what we already knew about the failures in vaccine procurement and distribution, the new post-market review process removes patient consultation, it could be an interesting few weeks in the Senate for the PBS, the final days for companies to provide additional information in support of their case for relief from  April's 'catch-...

The 'Week in Review' includes a  special guest who discusses the 'indicative outcomes' communicated to companies seeking relief from next April's 'catch-up' price cuts, the implications for public health, what they say about a system 'under strain' and why change is urgently needed. There is also a discussion about the recommended lung cancer screening...

The review discusses 'what now' after the industry has presented its evidence on the disputed implementation of the PBS pricing framework, the challenge of timing, the potential implications of the multinational tax review, and planning for the BPD Post-Budget Summit.

The first 'Week in Review' episode of 'The Dispatched Podcast' discusses the ongoing dispute over the implementation of the new PBS pricing framework, the 'Halton review' of Australia's COVID-19 vaccine and treatment procurement planning, and the significant implications of the new national anti-corruption commission.

The latest edition of 'The Dispatched' podcast pays tribute to the late Will Delaat AM and discusses the importance of detail, substance and long-term thinking when it comes to policy.

This episode focuses on the contentious 'catch-up' price reductions, the wording of industry agreements, the clever but consistent policy approach, the real risk of other 'surprises' and the discomfort of having to defend federal government officials.

Jody Fassina discusses the composition of the new parliament and its implications for politics and policy, the fiscal challenges confronting the new government and how stakeholders should engage the new ministry.

The latest edition of The 'Dispatched' Podcast discusses some of the frankly disturbing arguments against the implementation of a key Labor election commitment. 

The Dispatched podcast discusses the mechanics of ministerial change. What happens? What are the challenges? The reality and how stakeholders should approach what is a significant change?