Recent pricing reforms have cut medicine prices to unsustainable levels that could cause irreversible damage to the Australian generics industry, GMiA has warned [1, 2]. The association says manufacturing policies must recognize the benefit of generics manufacturing to Australia and support its growth and global competitiveness. The new taskforce would bring together medicine manufacturers and the Departments of Industry, Health and Trade with the aim of identifying opportunities and addressing barriers to medicines manufacturing in Australia.

Minister for Industry, Ian Macfarlane, met with GMiA on a tour round the Melbourne manufacturing site of GMiA member, Hospira. The taskforce being called for would cement Australia’s regional reputation for the production of high quality medicines and increase the country’s medicine export capacity as well as ensure the ongoing surety of supply of medicines locally, argues GMiA. It would encourage global investment in Australian medicine manufacturing and give the country the ability to respond in times of pandemic or medicines emergency.

‘We are not asking for a handout – just a fair go to keep medicine manufacturing viable to secure Australia’s medicine supply and ensure Australia reaps the benefits of this vital industry,’ said GMiA Chair, Mr Mark Crotty.

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References
1.   GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Australian price cuts make PBS affordable [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2014 Sep 26]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Policies-Legislation/Australian-price-cuts-make-PBS-affordable 
2.   GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Australians pay too much for generics [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2014 Sep 26]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Generics/General/Australians-pay-too-much-for-generics 

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