Does regulatory and reimbursement parallel processing provide swifter funded access to medicines for patients? Evaluation of cancer medicines using the Australian parallel process.

Objective: To assess the impact of a parallel regulatory and reimbursement process on (1) direction of funding decisions, 2) time-lag until funding recommendation, and (3) type of evidence submitted, for cancer medicines.

Methods: Public regulatory and reimbursement decision documents were reviewed for cancer medicines considered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) since the introduction of parallel processing. Medicine-indication pairs were identified from these documents and data extracted on the type and quality of evidence submitted, funding decisions and timelines, by type of review process.

Understanding Canadian Health Technology Assessment through a systems lens.

Objective: Governments around the world face challenges in maintaining sustainable, high-quality healthcare systems. Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is widely used as a method to assist in funding decisions. However, the scope and influence of HTA is still limited.

Estimating the utilisation of unregistered antimicrobials in Australia.

Objective: To identify and estimate the usage of unregistered antimicrobial drugs in Australian clinical practice.

Methods: A descriptive pharmaco-epidemiological study, utilising three data sources: analysis of Special Access Scheme (SAS) applications for unregistered antimicrobials included in clinical guidelines over a five year period, analysis of antimicrobials dispensed from South Australian public hospital pharmacy departments over a two year period and analysis of National Antimicrobial Utilisation Surveillance Program (NAUSP) data for reported inpatient usage of unregistered antimicrobials in Australian hospitals over the last 5 years.

Results: 59 unregistered antimicrobials were identified using the mixed methods.