Zimmerman's access revolution

A brand new centre to be established inside the federal Department of Health with the specific aim of fast-tracking access to new medicines and medical technologies is just one of a sweeping list of reforms recommended in the newly released Zimmerman inquiry report which was tabled in federal parliament today.

The new Centre for Precision Medicine and Rare Diseases would ensure that HTA processes and the government's research agenda aligns with the outcome of "timely access to new drugs and novel medical technologies". It would also operate a comprehensive "horizon scanning" unit for new therapies.

The 359-page report also called for the establishment of a dedicated and simplified regulatory HTA pathway for cell and gene technologies, that is "clear and certain," in consultation with state and territory governments, industry, patients and other relevant stakeholders. In addition the federal and state governments should introduce a jointly funded national genomics testing program plus expansion of the newborn screening program.