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\n \u2018We are not shirking all the blame on the Government. We can be flexible and think about adaptive schemes, and we\u2019re open to new schemes, but at the core of it is the value placed on the medicine.\u2019
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\n News<\/p>\n
\n Despite walking away from the deal earlier this year and price negotiations stalling, the drug\u2019s manufacturer confirmed its intentions.
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\n \u2018We are not shirking all the blame on the Government. We can be flexible and think about adaptive schemes, and we\u2019re open to new schemes, but at the core of it is the value placed on the medicine.\u2019
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newsGP weekly poll
\n The global manufacturer of weight loss drug tirzepatide (sold as Mounjaro) has confirmed it remains interested in getting the medication listed on Australia\u2019s subsidised scheme at a \u2018fair price point\u2019.
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\nDespite walking away from negotiations<\/a> in April over pricing concerns, Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks told the ABC<\/a> the company would still like to reach an agreement with the Australian Government.
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\n\u2018We definitely want Mounjaro to be listed on the PBS,\u2019 he said.
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\n\u2018We\u2019ve attempted that at least three times so far, and it\u2019s unusual to not be listed because it\u2019s on the WHO essential medicine list, and I think your expert clinicians \u2013 well, expert clinicians everywhere, but including in Australia \u2013 are highly recommending it for people with diabetes.\u2019
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\nBut the difference between the pharmaceutical company\u2019s asks and the Government\u2019s offer \u2018wasn\u2019t close enough to bridge and we\u2019re struggling to think of a way to resubmit at this point\u2019, Mr Ricks said.
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\nCentral to the debate is the way Australia is valuing the medicine, as well as knock-on global impacts.
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\n\u2018We are not shirking all the blame on the Government. We can be flexible and think about adaptive schemes, and we\u2019re open to new schemes, but at the core of it is the value placed on the medicine,\u2019 Mr Ricks said.
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\n\u2018Australia is not an island as it comes to pricing. When we consider the price point, it ripples across the world and can debase the medicine everywhere, which has an effect on our ability to reinvest in R&D.
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\n\u2018We\u2019re not interested in access at any price point. We think a fair price point would be good. How about one similar to the UK or Canada or other countries that have moved forward with listing? That\u2019s what we\u2019re suggesting.\u2019
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\nThe RACGP\u2019s position statement on obesity prevention and management<\/a> states that general practice is central to obesity prevention, and this needs to be continually supported through improved funding for general practice consultations.
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\nHowever, it says funding must be directed towards addressing \u2018the current inequity in access to effective evidence-based obesity management services and therapies\u2019.
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\nThere is very little doubt among experts that the ability to pay for these breakthrough weight-loss and diabetes medications is a huge access barrier.
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\nA recent study<\/a> of GLP-1 use in Australia revealed approximately half a million people are regularly using these medicines, and almost half of this group are paying between $200\u2013$700 out-of-pocket to access them for conditions other than diabetes.\u00a0
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\nDr Gary Deed, Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Diabetes, said it\u2019s positive that the manufacturer is still interested in working with the Australian Government to have Mounjaro listed on the PBS.
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\n\u2018This remains a positive aspect in the whole arena of assisting clinical management where weight may be central to key health issues and knowing that inequity seems to magnify effects in at risk populations,\u2019 he told newsGP.
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\n\u2018The Government is maintaining a watchful eye on pricing from manufacturers to ensure the viability of the whole PBS without a huge cost shift to the use of these agents \u2013 it would be a grave concern should people living with other diseases and needing access to critical or emerging agents were to have limitations to access due to funding being limited.
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\n\u2018However, on the opposite side of the coin, we don\u2019t have access to obesity management agents for people who need PBS support to gain access.\u2019
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\nDr Deed also notes emerging treatments on the horizon which also require a measured approach.
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\n\u2018There are so many newer weight loss agents appearing in clinical trials,\u2019 he said.
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\n\u2018We need a careful, planned approach to public funding because setting benchmarks now may have future PBS funding risks in this whole area.
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\n\u2018I understand the Government\u2019s caution, but at least there are ongoing talks. What may emerge, however, might be very restricted funding for a small number of select patient groups which may upset the general public who perceives they thought they were going to receive funding.\u2019
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\nSpeaking earlier this week<\/a>, Federal Health and Ageing Minister Mark Butler reiterated that establishing an agreed price remains the biggest hurdle in getting these drugs subsidised.
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\n\u2018This is a revolutionary class of drugs, and I certainly want to see them on the PBS so that Australians have access to them in an equitable way,\u2019 he said.
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\n\u2018My department has been working with the [pharmaceutical] companies to try and agree a price that they\u2019re willing to receive and we\u2019re willing to pay on behalf of taxpayers \u2013 and we haven\u2019t been able to agree on that price yet.\u2019
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\nFrom Eli Lilly\u2019s standpoint on negotiations, Mr Ricks said, \u2018we never close the door \u2013 we can always talk about new ideas\u2019.
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\n<\/p>\n
\n affordable healthcare<\/a> equitable healthcare<\/a> GLP-1<\/a> PBS<\/a> semaglutide<\/a> weight loss<\/a> weight-loss drugs<\/a>
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News
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