ACCELERATING ACCESS TO INNOVATIVE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES IN AUSTRALIA

Significant advancements in health technologies, including novel medical devices, diagnostics and therapeutics, have led to dramatic improvements in patient health outcomes. However, Australia’s healthcare reimbursement policies, processes and methods have not kept up with the pace of innovation, resulting in under-recognition of the true value of these new technologies. Our conservative approach to innovation means that major advancements in technology are not appropriately valued within existing assessment frameworks, causing patients to miss out.

To address this issue, Edwards Lifesciences convened a roundtable, including representatives from the medical device, diagnostic, and pharmaceutical industries, private hospital operators, clinicians and clinical societies, patient advocates, and other subject matter experts.