Collaboration & Focus

When I decided to nominate for the board of Medicines Australia, it wasn’t only about the role I can play, but also Janssen’s commitment to drive positive change in our industry.

Janssen has a proud history of industry leadership here in Australia and has been active across a range of Medicines Australia working groups spanning policy development, patient voice and industry reputation.

In recent years, we have helped drive the debate around medicines access in Australia, including the review of the National Medicines Policy in 2022 and more recently as part of the HTA Review. We have contributed thoughtfully to these discussions and invested heavily in evidence-based research to showcase the value our industry provides to the economy and the health and wellbeing of Australians.

These efforts have not been made in isolation, but in collaboration with our peers across industry, with patient groups across a broad spectrum of disease areas and with some of Australia’s leading clinicians.

Our industry’s ability to collaborate and present a united, harmonious voice will be critical in overcoming the challenges that lie ahead – and let’s be clear, we face very real challenges, both immediately and over the horizon.

Our system of reimbursement has not kept pace with the speed of scientific innovation, the willingness of government to share risk with industry is in decline, the voice of the patient has not been truly elevated, and the increasingly complex role that states and territories are playing in price negotiations are adding further to delays in access.

The challenges are real, but so are the opportunities. Medicines Australia has been working hard to develop a blueprint for a successful reform agenda - the task in front of us is to unite behind a clear set of impactful policy priorities and commit to them for the long term.

A sharp focus on what matters most and a spirit of true collaboration. If we get these right, I believe our industry will thrive and our patients will win.?