Pharmacy Daily | GBMA calls for cheaper meds, better access

UP TO three million Australians could save money and gain earlier access to life-changing therapies, if budget measures put forward by the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA), areadopted.

In its 2025-2026 pre-Budget submission, GBMA - the peak body for more affordable medicines - has prioritised the needs of those patients with complex conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis andcancer.

The organisation argued that with 61% of Australians struggling with the burden of one or more chronic conditions, timely access to more affordable treatment is critical.

The proposed reforms focus on three key areas, some of which were flagged at the biosimilars summit held last week (PD 12 Feb):

* Reducing out-of-pocket costs for patients by halving the PBS co-payment for patients who opt for a biosimilar, which could deliver savings of up to $190 per year forpatients.

* Early intervention - that is, starting biologics earlier - and increased patient access to biologic therapies, while reducing the administrative burden for clinicians.

* Strengthening biosimilar uptake by prescribing biosimilars for treatment-naive patients, when available, to reduce healthcare costs to the patient and taxpayers.

GBMA's Chair, Professor Jane Halton, said tapping the health and fiscal benefits of biosimilars is more important now than ever.

"We know 11% of Australians in disadvantaged communities are delaying or going without their prescription medicines," Professor Halton said.

"We should also be doing more to mobilise up to $1.5 billion in savings, expected over the next five years, with the arrival of more biosimilar medicines into the Australian market."

The GBMA is also collaborating with the Australian Patient Advocacy Alliance (APAA) to identify how these savings from biosimilar medicines can be channelled into priority chronic disease-related initiatives.

GBMA CEO Marnie Peterson said that with chronic disease costing Australian taxpayers $82 billion annually, it is essential to implement policies that not only provide immediate cost-of-living relief to struggling patients but also to secure the future of Australia's medicine supply.

"A robust biosimilar market, underpinned by effective policies, will deliver unprecedented financial and health benefits to vulnerable patients, without impacting an already overwhelmed health system," Peterson said.

GBMA has urged both parties to commit to these reforms in the upcoming Federal election, ensuring that all Australians can access more affordable medicines, when they need them. KB