Author: Team
Life Changing Impact of MedTech
Global Insights and Local Promise: Fresenius Medical Care’s annual medical report explores how Interconnected Intelligence is transforming healthcare
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The report also explores ways to apply insights gained in different markets on a global level, and how best practices can be adapted to specific market needs.
In addition to articulating experiences in dialysis care across diverse regions, the report delves deeper into several focus areas relevant to the healthcare industry and the evolution of kidney care:
- Expanding home therapies to give dialysis patients more control of their lives and improve treatment outcomes.
- Improving transplant access through open communication and collaboration among multiple stakeholders.
- Embracing diversity and an interdisciplinary approach to improve value-based care in kidney disease.
- Developing predictive models to identify dialysis clinics that are encountering problems or in need of additional support, and,
- Clarifying and explaining the role of nutrition in the prevention and treatment of chronic kidney disease.
Dr. Frank Maddux, Global Chief Medical Officer of Fresenius Medical Care, said: “Interconnected thinking is central to our way of working at Fresenius Medical Care and it demonstrates our commitment to making a difference in the lives of patients. The people of Fresenius Medical Care, all around the world, have always been our greatest asset. Harnessing the full potential of their interconnected intelligence can boost innovation, advance medical progress, develop better therapies, and help drive the transformation of healthcare systems worldwide.”
Download the full report at: https://www.freseniusmedicalcare.com/en/about-us/responsibility/[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Australians say health and medical research matters!
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]National peak body, Research Australia, has asked Australians for their opinions on health for the past 17 years and they consistently tell us that research is crucial to better health and living our best lives.
The Minister for Health, the Hon. Greg Hunt launched the 2019 consumer poll Australia Speaks! at Parliament House yesterday to an audience of Research Australia’s Members along with government representatives, sector leaders and other health organisations.
The Hon. Greg Hunt expressed how heartening it is that Australians value health and medical research and are so willing to participate and contribute in the process.
“Health and medical research is about people so each year, with the generous help of Roy Morgan, we ask consumers for their opinions to enable us to reflect their values, and those of our Members, to ensure policy supports our health system.” says Nadia Levin, CEO of Research Australia.
“It is clear Australians see improving hospitals and healthcare as the number one spending priority for the Australian Government, even ahead of infrastructure, education standards and employment opportunities.
“Three quarters of Australians say they are interested in health and medical research. However, while confident in their ability to contribute to decision making about the future direction of the sector, most Australians don’t know how, and many don’t believe they’d be heard. Our governments and research organisations clearly have more work to do to meaningfully engage with the broader community.”
The results also confirmed that Australians are willing to embrace technology that can help them better manage their own health. They trust healthcare professionals to assist them with choosing those technologies and directing them to other credible online information sources. Professor Mary Foley, Managing Director Telstra Health and Research Australia Director shared her views around the impact of data in supporting improved health and what the future holds with the ongoing advances in technology.
The subject of ‘The empowered patient and consumer – managing our own health’ was discussed in a panel made up of sector leaders including the CEO of the Foundation for Alcohol Research & Education Michael Thorn, the CEO of Diabetes Australia, Greg Johnson and Jeppe Theisen, Vice President and General Manager Oceania, Novo Nordisk. Each discussed the importance of preventative medicine and what they are doing in this space to support Australians.
The poll also covered donations and government funding, and once again support for health and medical research is widespread. And at a time when we see the government partnering with the not for profit sector to support health and medical research, people indicated they would be more likely to donate a higher amount if the government would match their donation – a sentiment also reflected in previous polls.
Australian’s opinions continue to shape Research Australia’s strategies and priorities and observations of the changing trends and current attitudes will be shared widely to help shape policy and change to enable a healthier Australia.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
NEW REPORT HIGHLIGHTS VALUE OF ACCESSING CATARACT TREATMENT THROUGH THE PROSTHESES LIST
Cataracts and glaucoma impose a substantial burden on hundreds of thousands of Australians through reduced vision, leading to lower quality of life, greater health system expenditure, productivity losses, informal care costs, and reliance on aids and modifications.
“Our report found that access to intraocular lenses through the Prostheses List saved government, patients and society $371m in 2017-2018,” said Lynne Pezzullo, Partner at Deloitte Access Economics, today.
“If all cataract surgery was completed in the private sector, additional savings to Government would be $162m. For each additional surgery that shifted to the private sector, individuals would save $836 and Government would save $1,885 per procedure,” Ms Pezzullo said.
Privately insured patients have access to a broad choice of medical devices through the PL, which is a key component of the value proposition of private health insurance.
“Timely access to cost effective private ophthalmic surgeries through the Prostheses List reduces the economic burden of ophthalmic conditions and gives patients greater choice of ophthalmic devices,” said Ian Burgess, MTAA CEO, today.
“The devices industry was the sole contributor to lower private health insurance premium increases both in 2017 and in 2018. MTAA’s Agreement with the Government is on track to exceed $1.1 billion in expected savings, however, further cuts to the Prostheses List could erode these benefits.
“Further cuts to incentives for private ophthalmic treatment could drive more patients into the public system, putting greater pressure on an already over-burdened system,” Mr Burgess said.
A reduction in revenue may also reduce the ability of niche technology providers to bring new products to the market.
“The medical technology industry believes access to a full range of medical technology is one of the key benefits of having private health insurance and we’re committed to helping ensure all Australians lead healthier and more productive lives,” Mr Burgess concluded.
$8 million for ground-breaking clinical trials
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Five Australian-led trials will receive funding from the Government’s Medical Research Future Fund International Clinical Trial Collaborations program.
Researchers at the University of Western Australia will receive $1.8 million to investigate the best approach for treating severe narrowing of the aortic heart valve (aortic stenosis), which is a very common condition.
This large clinical trial will test if earlier valve replacement will improve outcomes for patients.
Macquarie University has received $3.1 million to investigate reducing the risk of dementia by protecting brain health through lifestyle changes.
The George Institute for Global Health will receive $902,000 to evaluate the best treatments for aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage caused by a burst artery in the brain.
In people aged between 40 and 60 years with this condition, nearly half will die and a third will suffer permanent disability. The clinical trial will help doctors better manage patients with this condition.
The University of Newcastle will receive $782,000 to trial the use a new type of wound dressing on patients to reduce infections following emergency abdominal surgery.
The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute will receive $1.4 million to investigate the best ways to support fragile lungs in preterm babies, which are prone to collapse and cause injury from the first time they breathe.
While positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) at birth is essential to support the preterm lung, this project will conduct the first large clinical trial of PEEP strategies in preterm infants.
This clinical trial will provide important guidance to clinicians across all health care settings worldwide.
Each project will run at least one clinical trial site in Australia with Australian patients, while collaborating with international researchers or trial teams.
The International Clinical Trial Collaborations program supports Australian researchers, to collaborate globally to develop new or novel drug applications, devices and treatments.
The $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund is an endowment to provide a sustainable source of funding for vital medical research.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Conversation with Robert Hankin
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In that capacity he has overseen the development of HIBCC from its’ early formation as a bar code labeling standards group to its’ current status as a provider of internationally-accredited healthcare supply chain product and customer identification standards. HIBCC has been designated as a Unique Device Identifier (UDI) Issuing Agency for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Union (EU).
Dr. Hankin earned his Ph.D. in Economics from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, where he specialized in the healthcare sector. Prior to being named HIBCC President, he held senior executive positions at the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Dental Association (ADA), and served as a Managing Consultant for a Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA- based research firm.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Americanising Australia’s Healthcare
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The private health insurance lobby’s call comes as one of its member companies recently called for the government to fully privatise Medicare.
Private Healthcare Australia (PHA) said the Australia Government could, working alongside health funds, help halt and reverse the trend of declining young adult participation by introducing a Fringe Benefits Tax exemption application to private health insurance premiums for employees under the age of 40.
PHA’s Chief Executive, Dr Rachel David, called the propose “modest” and said it “would put the private health insurance industry within reach of young people who will benefit from healthcare services not readily available to them in the public sector”.
CHOICE’s Senior Campaigns and Policy Advisor, Dean Price, challenged PHA Americanisation proposal asserting that “people need to be at the centre of the debate about their health.”
“Many people find health insurance expensive and to hold little value. Out-of-pocket costs are rising, and health insurers are paying out less per hospital visit,” Mr Price said.
The Doctors Reform Society (DRF) President, Dr Tim Woodruff also slammed the proposal question why private health insurers wanted these changes.
“To get more taxpayer support for themselves to make more profits. The majority of Australians don’t have private health insurance because it’s a bad product,” Dr Woodruff said.
Federal Shadow Health Minister, Chris Bowen, said the suggestion was another unrealistic proposal for more subsidy at a cost to the taxpayer.
“The private health insurance sector seeking further government subsidy as reform for the industry is increasingly untenable,” Mr Bowen said.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
TGA publishes updated Enforceable Undertaking guidelines
Under section 42YL of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (the Act), the Secretary of the Department of Health can accept an offer of an enforceable undertaking. An enforceable undertaking is relatively quick compliance solution. It may include encouraging entities (individuals or companies) to improve their compliance arrangements or restrict the activities they can undertake. This can help entities meet their obligations under the Act and other regulations into the future, which in turn helps protect consumers and public health.
The TGA regards the enforceable undertaking as an important compliance tool in situations where there is evidence of a breach of the Act or regulations, but where it may not be in the public interest to take civil or criminal compliance action. Generally, enforceable undertakings are not used in cases involving deliberate misconduct, fraud, or conduct involving a high level of recklessness.
For an individual or company in potential breach of the Act or regulations, entering into an enforceable undertaking can be a cost-effective alternative to criminal or civil compliance action.
