Month: August 2021

From 1 September 2021, thousands of Australians living with schizophrenia, liver disease, lymphoma and anaphylaxis will have access to new treatments through new and amended listings on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
For the first time, Australians with schizophrenia will have access to the antipsychotic Reagila^® (cariprazine).
Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition with a wide range of symptoms and affects about 1 in 100 people.
The exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown, and symptoms usually begin in late adolescence or early adulthood. Generally a long‑term illness, schizophrenia cause serious disability if left untreated.
It is expect that over 39,500 Australians will benefit from this new treatment option. Without PBS subsidy, Australians might pay more than $1,200 per year for treatment.
In another first, Ocaliva^® (obeticholic acid) is being listed from 1 September for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a chronic disease which causes inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts within the liver.
Women are 10 times more likely to develop PBC than men and while there is currently no cure, treatment can help slow the progression of the disease and ease symptoms.
If left untreated and as liver damage worsens, primary biliary cholangitis can cause serious health problems, including liver cancer, liver scarring, high cholesterol and decreased mental function amongst other conditions.
Without PBS subsidy, around 890 Australians per year might pay more than $60,500 per course of treatment.
Anapen®, an alternative brand of adrenaline auto-injector, will also be listed on the PBS for the first time for Australians with anaphylaxis, the most severe form of allergic reaction.
When injected, adrenaline works rapidly to reduce throat swelling, open up the airways and maintain heart function and blood pressure.
In addition, Australians will also have access to a new strength of this medicine in the auto-injector form. Over 126,000 people would otherwise pay approximately $80 for this treatment without PBS subsidy
Australians living with previously untreated CD30 positive peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) will also benefit from the extension of Adcetris^® (brentuximab vedotin) on the PBS.
Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s germ-fighting network. PTCL is an aggressive cancer and affects both adults and children, however it is more common in those aged 60 years and over.
Around 65 Australians per year will benefit from this listing, which without PBS subsidy might pay more than $85,000 per course of treatment.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said since 2013, the Coalition Government had approved more than 2,700 new or amended listings on the PBS.
“This represents an average of around 30 listings or amendments per month – or one each day – at an overall investment by the Government of $13.6 billion,” Minister Hunt said.
“Without PBS subsidies many Australians would be thousands of dollars out of pocket, instead they’ll only pay $41.30 per script or $6.60 with a concession card for these medicines.
“The Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid.”
These PBS listings have been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

The Labor and Liberal parties have voted to pass the Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Bill 2020 which makes three new warrants available to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC).
Network activity warrants allow the AFP or ACIC to monitor online activity, without investigating or accusing a person of a crime. Account takeover warrants enable police to take over an account and change their data, which could then be used as evidence in a criminal proceeding.
Data disruption warrants grant law enforcement data disruption powers to stop the suspected commission of an offence using a computer. If a person with relevant knowledge does not comply with a data disruption warrant, it could result in a 10 year jail term.
“The Richardson review concluded that this bill enables the AFP and ACIC to be ‘judge, jury and executioner.’ That’s not how we deliver justice in this country.” said Senator Lidia Thorpe, the Greens spokesperson for Justice.
“The bill does not identify or explain why these powers are necessary and our allies in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand do not grant law enforcement these rights.
“The Greens put forward amendments to balance these powers with a robust human rights framework that would protect innocent people from the abuse of powers contained in this bill, but we were outvoted by the major parties.
“As our laws evolve to combat cyber-enabled crime, our human rights need to evolve as well to protect us from cyber-enabled abuses of power.”

The National Cabinet met today for the 53rd time to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response, recent outbreaks of COVID-19 and the Australian COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy.
National Cabinet continues to work together to address issues and find solutions for the health and economic consequences of COVID-19.
Since the beginning of the pandemic there have been 48,815 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 991 people have died. More than 30.7 million tests have been undertaken. Testing has increased nationally over recent days with 1,742,613 tests reported in the past 7 days.
Globally there have been over 214.5 million cases and sadly over 4.4 million deaths, with 711,553 new cases and 11,051 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in many countries around the world.
Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine roll out continues to expand. To date over 18.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Australia, including 307,090 in the previous 24 hours.
In the previous 7 days, more than 1.8 million vaccines have been administered in Australia. More than 55 per cent of the Australian population aged 16 years and over have now had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including over 75 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 85 per cent of over 70 year olds.
More than 33 per cent of Australians aged 16 years and over are now fully vaccinated including more than 48.7 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 60.8 per cent of Australians over 70 years of age.
Today, Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly provided an update on current outbreaks of COVID-19. The Chief Medical Officer has announced a number of hotspots across Australia in NSW, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory.
Leaders noted the health system capacity in place is across to support the current outbreaks.
National Cabinet agreed to establish a cross jurisdictional working group led by the Commonwealth Secretary of Health, with the heads of all state and territory Health Departments to report back to National Cabinet by 3 September 2021, on the health and hospital system capacity and workforce needs to address expected demands under the National Plan, taking into account the Doherty Institute modelling reports to National Cabinet.
Lieutenant General John Frewen, Coordinator-General of Operation COVID Shield, provided an update on the vaccine roll out and the planned roll out to children aged 12-15 years of age, based on recommendations of ATAGI. The rollout to 12-15 year olds will commence from 13 September 2021.
All leaders reiterated the importance of Australians, especially those in vulnerable groups, to get a COVID-19 vaccination. Both the AstraZeneca and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are registered for use in Australia and are proven to be effective in preventing serious illness and death, as well as limiting transmission.
National Cabinet noted the work underway through the COVID-19 Risk Analysis and Response Taskforce report and the Doherty modelling for the National Plan to transition Australia’s National COVID Response. Professor Jodie McVernon from the Doherty Institute updated National Cabinet on draft modelling scenarios and sensitivity analysis, confirming the recommendation of the 70% and 80% thresholds from the Doherty Institute’s earlier report that formed the basis of the National Plan.
Further work is underway on the scenarios as well as modelling of optimisation of the public health measures and managing outbreak responses and scenarios to support vulnerable cohorts and areas with low vaccination uptake. These will be presented by the Doherty Institute at future meetings once finalised.
National Cabinet noted the significantly expanded scale of the evacuation from Afghanistan in a dangerous and deteriorating situation.
The Prime Minister thanked state and territory leaders for the substantial increase in quarantine places made available to accommodate the approximately 4,100 evacuees who would be welcomed to Australia over the coming days and weeks.
National Cabinet agreed to meet next on Friday, 3 September 2021.

The Morrison Government is providing additional support to small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) who continue to deal with the economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis by expanding eligibility for the SME Recovery Loan Scheme.
In recognition of the continued economic impacts of COVID-19, the Government will remove requirements for SMEs to have received JobKeeper during the March quarter of 2021 or to have been a flood affected business in order to be eligible under the SME Recovery Loan Scheme.
As with the existing scheme, SMEs who are dealing with the economic impacts of the coronavirus with a turnover of less than $250 million will be able to access loans of up to $5 million over a term of up to 10 years. Other key features of the SME Recovery Loan Scheme include:

• The Government guarantee will be 80 per cent of the loan amount.
• Lenders are allowed to offer borrowers a repayment holiday of up to 24 months.
• Loans can be used for a broad range of business purposes, including to support investment.
• Loans may be used to refinance any pre-existing debt of an eligible borrower, including those from the SME Guarantee Scheme.
• Loans can be either unsecured or secured (excluding residential property).

The expanded Scheme will enable lenders to continue supporting Australian small businesses when they need it most.
The SME Recovery Loan Scheme builds on earlier loan schemes introduced during COVID-19, under which around 74,000 loans totalling around $6.2 billion were written.
The loans will be available through participating lenders until 31 December 2021. The expansion complements other financial support the Commonwealth is offering to businesses impacted by the current COVID-19 health restrictions.
The Morrison Government will continue to support small businesses as they seek to rebuild, adapt and create jobs on the other side of this crisis.
Further information can be found on the Treasury website.

Children aged between 12 and 15 years will be able to book a COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine from September 13 following the Morrison Government’s decision to implement expert medical advice.
Bookings will be available through GPs, Commonwealth Vaccination Clinics and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations. Each state and territory will advise when their state vaccination clinics will open to this group.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) reviewed detailed medical evidence and recommended Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccination in all children and adolescents 12 years of age and above.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Moderna vaccine would also be made available subject to approvals from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and ATAGI recommendations for 12-18 year olds.
“Vaccinating young people will protect them and provide peace of mind to their family,” the Prime Minster said.
“Importantly, this decision provides the opportunity for families to come together to visit their GP and get vaccinated.”
Coordinator General of Operation COVID Shield Lieutenant General John Frewen has been working with the Commonwealth and states and territories on coordinating an approach for this age group while supporting those jurisdictions wishing to undertake a school based vaccination later in the year. This detail will be outlined by each state and territory.
It is expected that all children 12-18 years of age will have access to a vaccine during the course of 2021. The age group between 12 and 15 comprises of approximately 1.2 million children.
Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt said the decision was based on the final advice of ATAGI and approval by the TGA. In their advice to Government, ATAGI concludes that the severity of COVID-19 is less in adolescents compared with adults.
“To date, we’ve administered almost 18.4 million COVID-19 vaccines around Australia. I want to thank everyone who has come forward so far to receive their first and second doses, you’re doing an incredible job,” Minister Hunt said.
“I would encourage all parents from September 13 to visit the eligibility checker and book your child in for their vaccination, so we can ensure all Australians are protected from COVID-19.”
Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge said the rollout of the vaccines to younger Australians should give more confidence to jurisdictions to keep schools open and community activity alive.
“Some students have missed more than half a year of face-to-face learning, and it is critically important that we get all students back in classrooms as soon as possible,” Minister Tudge said.
“Keeping kids in schools is so important, not just for their education, but for their mental health, physical development and to have those critical interactions with their peers and teachers.”
Parents should check the COVID-19 eligibility checker from 13 September to book in their child’s vaccination.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration is also currently considering the use of the Moderna vaccine in 12-17 years of age as a priority, with a decision expected soon.
Pharmacies will come on board to administer Moderna subject to approval by the TGA and ATAGI.
The Commonwealth Government has secured more than 280 million COVID-19 vaccines, including 125 million Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines and 25 million Moderna vaccines.