Access to Medicines Working Group - 29 August 2025
Page last updated: 5 January 2026
The Access to Medicines Working Group (AMWG) met on 29 August 2025. Attendees included representatives from Medicines Australia (MA), the pharmaceutical industry and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (the Department).
The AMWG noted the HTA Review Implementation Advisory Group (the IAG) has completed its first phase of work which focused on the analysis of recommendations from the HTA Policy and Methods Review. In August 2025, the IAG provided an interim report to the Minister that outlines progress and early insights. The IAG’s final report is due in early 2026 and will help inform future government decisions on HTA reform.
The AMWG was provided an update on the PBS Time and Motion Study and members noted that the project will be closed. The Department will look to undertake further work to improve cost recovery arrangements, including developing ways to collect and provide information to Industry to support cost recovery. MA expressed disappointment with the closure of the study and requested more granularity and transparency on PBS cost recovery, including earlier engagement on cost recovery for next financial year. The Department committed to engage with Industry on cost recovery for 2026-27 aligned with the annual TGA industry engagement process.
The AMWG discussed MA’s proposal on Risk Sharing Arrangements (RSA) policy development. It was noted there is broad agreement on a number of MA’s proposed policy principles. MA and the Department will continue to engage constructively on the remaining principles, with the Department reiterating its commitment to supporting the Government in delivering effective and sustainable policy outcomes.
The AMWG also discussed the Exchange of Information Pilot. A key aim was to trial formalising existing arrangements where HTA evaluators and sponsors share information during the process of a particular PBAC submission, in consultation with the PBAC. It was noted the Department is currently preparing a report on the outcomes. MA noted the collaborative effort on this project.
The Metrics and KPI Subgroup Co-Chairs provided a progress update on metrics work under the Strategic Agreement and the AMWG noted continuing efforts in this area. Work by this group will continue to ensure that the metrics and statistics remain relevant as the HTA Review recommendations are implemented.
The AMWG will reconvene in late February 2026.
