Generic Medicines Working Group (GMWG) Communique - 11 August 2020
Page last updated: 18 March 2021
The Generic Medicines Working Group (GMWG) met by teleconference on 11 August 2020.
Attendees included representatives from the Department of Health (the Department),
the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA), and pharmaceutical companies
with an interest in generic and biosimilar medicines.
The purpose of the GMWG is to discuss and develop policies designed to support a generic medicines sector and increase confidence in, and use of, generic and biosimilar medicines in Australia.
During the meeting, members were provided with updates in a number of areas, including:
- activities of the PBS Transparency and Efficiency subgroup, including progress on cost recovery and PBS process improvement arrangements, and work undertaken on the Health Products Portal and the Medicine Status Website;
- implementation of Electronic Prescribing and Active Ingredient Prescribing measures, which are now legislated and being phased‑in through changes in prescribing software, supported by education initiatives, noting that timeframes for transition have been affected by COVID‑19 pandemic priorities;
- changes arising from the Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement, including cessation of the Premium Free Dispensing Incentive payment, and changes to the wholesale mark-up structure; and
- activities funded by the Biosimilar Education Grant, including Biosimilar Awareness Week held in May 2020.
Specific issues relating to the COVID‑19 pandemic, including the role of industry in supporting communications, were also discussed by members.
The Department will progress the action items arising from the meeting.
PDF version of Generic Medicines Working Group Communique 11 August 2020 (125 KB)
