Pharmaceutical industry

A responsible and viable medicines industry is an important partner in achieving the objectives of Australia’s National Medicines Policy.

NPS works with the medicines industry, primarily through the Medicines Industry Liaison Group (NPS MILG), to develop and implement Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) activities in the pharmaceutical industry. These activities support the best use of medicines to improve health and well-being.

Through its work, NPS MILG aims to:

• encourage understanding and dialogue between NPS and the pharmaceutical industry; and
• undertake projects that encourage and facilitate the uptake of QUM initiatives in the industry.

Projects include educational seminars for representatives from pharmaceutical industry, media and the PR industry. Examples include the QUM in pharmaceutical industry seminar in 2007 and at the upcoming National Medicines Symposium 2008.

The Medicines Industry Liaison Group is a mix of representatives from the peak industry bodies and companies who have shown an interest in or strong commitment to QUM.

The peak industry bodies Medicines Australia, Australian Self-Medication Industry and Generic Medicines Industry Association are also member organisations of NPS.

NPS provides information on selected PBS listings through its NPS RADAR publication. Pharmaceutical companies whose products are reviewed by RADAR are invited to to provide information used in the PBAC decision-making process, and are given an opportunity to comment on drafts of the RADAR review. Comments from pharmaceutical companies are taken into account along with those of independent clinical experts, with all final editorial decisions being made by NPS.

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