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Australia’s DoH seeks feedback on biosimilars awareness project

Biosimilars/General | Posted 16/10/2015 0 Post your comment

Australia’s Department of Health (DoH) wants to improve awareness and confidence in biosimilars in the community and among healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and prescribers. To do this the DoH has developed an implementation framework, for which it is seeking feedback.

The implementation framework has been developed as part of the measures foreseen in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)* Access and Sustainability Package, including the Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement (6CPA). This includes measures to support the use and awareness of biosimilars and ensure appropriate policies can be applied to provide market access and increase consumer choice and access and achieve the savings that can be gained from the use of these products.

The DoH is seeking stakeholder feedback on the framework via an online survey on the following:

Understanding of the Australian system
Position on biosimilars
Communication issues/risks
Key messages for prescribers, pharmacists and consumers
What communication channels stakeholders currently use to communicate and recommendations about their effectiveness
Willingness to assist with the distribution of communication materials about biosimilars

The Australian Government is investing AUS$20 million during 2015–2018 for awareness activities designed to improve awareness and confidence in biosimilars, for both healthcare professionals and consumers.

Stakeholders can provide feedback on the implementation framework and participate in the survey regarding biosimilars use in Australia by completing the online survey (Seeking feedback on Biosimilar Awareness Implementation Framework) at www.consultations.health.gov.au/pharmaceutical-policy-branch/biosimilar-implementation-framework. The survey will be accessible until 26 October 2015.

*The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is a programme of the Australian Government that provides subsidized prescription drugs to residents of Australia.

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Source: PBS