This Newsletter covers Federal and State policy and legislative developments in the area of health. Copies of documents referred to can be obtained by clicking on the reference in this Newsletter or through Capital Monitor's collection at www.capitalmonitor.com.au or from the source quoted.

Major Announcements

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

29 October

Bahaq Pty Ltd fined $13,320 for alleged unlawful importation of medical face masks in relation to COVID-19
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), part of the Department of Health, has issued an infringement notice for $13,320 to Melbourne-based company Bahaq Pty Ltd for the alleged unlawful importation of medical face masks in relation to COVID-19. Bahaq allegedly breached a condition of the Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices-Face Masks and Other Articles) (COVID-19 Emergency) Exemption 2020(link is external) (the exemption) by importing medical face masks that were not, at the time of the importation, included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) and were not being imported for supply to the National Medical Stockpile.
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Hand sanitiser labels 'a confusing mess'
A survey has revealed widespread confusion amongst Australians about the quality, effectiveness and monitoring of hand sanitiser products in Australia prompting consumer group CHOICE to call for labelling reform. 66% of Australians either didn't know (36%) or incorrectly believed (30%) alcohol free sanitisers would protect them from COVID-19 highlighting a major information gap that could leave Australians buying products that won't protect them. A further CHOICE analysis of sanitiser labeling found sanitisers lacking key information like the percentage of alcohol in products, making it difficult to buy products that meet WHO standards for sanitisers.
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW Health has reported four new cases of locally transmitted COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm. One case was also reported in an overseas traveller in hotel quarantine, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 4,222. Of the new cases to 8pm:
- One was acquired overseas and is now in hotel quarantine.
- One was locally acquired with their source still under investigation.
- Three were locally acquired and linked to the above known case whose source is still under investigation.
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NSW: Public health alert - new venues
NSW Health is alerting the public that a confirmed case of COVID-19, has attended a gym in Sydney's south-west. Anyone who attended the following venue at these times is considered a close contact and must get tested immediately and isolate for a full 14 days from exposure regardless of the result:
- F45 gym, 1640 Camden Valley Way, Leppington, on these dates and times, plus more:
- Thursday 15 October, 5.15pm - 6pm
- Saturday 17 October, 8.10am - 9.10am
- Sunday 18 October, 8.55am - 9.40am
- Monday 19 October, 5.50am - 6.35am
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28 October

NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW Health has reported one new case of locally transmitted COVID-19, linked to a known source, in the 24 hours to 8pm. Seven cases were also reported in overseas travellers in hotel quarantine, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 4,217. It has been 14 days since a locally acquired case with no known source was identified. Of the eight new cases to 8pm:
- Seven were acquired overseas and are now in hotel quarantine.
- One was locally acquired and linked to a known case.
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NT: Returned Traveller Tests Positive
An Australian woman who arrived on the Commonwealth Government repatriation flight from India has tested positive for COVID-19, while in quarantine at the Howard Springs Centre for National Resilience. The 31-year-old had tested negative for the virus before travelling to Darwin. Australians returning on repatriated flights must provide COVID-19 negative tests prior to travelling. The woman is asymptomatic and remains well. She has been moved to an isolation room and remains under the care of the AUSMAT at the Centre for National Resilience at Howard Springs, said the NT Department of the Chief Minister & Cabinet.
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WA: COVID-19 update - 28 October 2020
The WA Department of Health has reported one new case of COVID-19 in Western Australia. The confirmed case is a female in her 60s who returned to Perth from overseas. She is in hotel quarantine. The State's confirmed COVID-19 case total is now 765. WA Health is monitoring 50 active cases and 706 people have recovered from the virus.
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27 October

Victorians enjoy freedom in a COVIDSafe way
Minister for Health Greg Hunt said that Victorians returning to the shops, the pub and cafes, are reminded to enjoy their new freedoms in a COVIDSafe way. After the world's longest lockdown, it will be a significant mental and economic relief for Victorians to return to some form of normal life, as retail and hospitality venues re-open It is a significant achievement as the last time there was a zero case was June 9, and now the state has recorded zero two days in a row. But whilst the virus has been suppressed, no one can be complacent. The reporting of record daily cases around the world is a clear reminder that every one of us needs to learn how to live with the virus in a safe way.
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26 October

Steps to Victoria's reopening
The Commonwealth Government welcomes the announcement by the Victorian Premier to ease restrictions from 11.59pm on Tuesday. Victorians have worked hard and sacrificed a lot to get to this point. The new National Framework to reopen by Christmas is a clear and transparent, three step national plan which provides the Australian community and businesses with a way forward where Australians can live and work in a COVID Normal Australia, ensuring that Australia maintain strong health protections and minimise job losses and mental health impacts, said Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Minister Hunt.
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COVIDSafe app: $4 Million dollars per contact traced
Under questioning, Department of Health officials confirmed the COVIDSafe app has only been used to trace 17 unique cases that were not otherwise identified by manual contact tracing. The Government has spent up to $70 million on the COVIDSafe app, (most of it on marketing), for 17 traces. This is $4 million dollars per unique contact. Australia has had 27,520 recorded cases of COVID-19 - presumably having had hundreds of thousands of contacts, said Shadow Minister for Health Chris Bowen and Shadow Minister for Government Services Bill Shorten.
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More COVID vaccine deals needed urgently
Australia remains at the back of the queue for leading COVID-19 vaccine candidates and must urgently strike more supply agreements. Under questioning, Department of Health officials confirmed Australia has secured no additional advanced supply deals beyond AstraZeneca (Oxford University) and CSL (University of Queensland). Equivalent health systems like Canada, the UK, the European Union and the US all have six deals each, said Shadow Minister Bowen.
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NSW: COVID-19 statistics
NSW has reported one new case of locally transmitted COVID-19. Three cases were reported in overseas travellers in hotel quarantine, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 4,197. There were 7,447 tests reported, compared with 12,465. While it is not unusual for weekend testing numbers to be lower, if we are to ensure NSW continues to detect cases as soon as possible and prevent onward transmission, it is vital that members of the community continue to come forward for testing. NSW Health continues to appeal to the community to be tested right away if anyone has even the mildest of symptoms.
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25 October

Victorian restrictions
Victorians have made great progress in reducing the rate of COVID-19 infections from the second wave outbreak in Victoria, said Prime Minister Morrison. While the Commonwealth Government welcomes Victoria's commitment to the national framework agreed at National Cabinet to have Australia open by Christmas, for many Victorian businesses and their workers the announcement will mean they will simply not be able to make it, said Treasurer Frydenberg. The new Framework to reopen by Christmas is a clear and transparent, three step plan which provides the Australian community and businesses with a way forward where Australians can live and work, said Minister Hunt.
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23 October

Standing with our region in response to COVID-19
Australia is working in close partnership with its neighbours in the Pacific and Southeast Asia to give strength to a region-wide recovery from COVID-19, said Minister for International Development and the Pacific Alex Hawke. The pandemic has put pressure on communities, economies and livelihoods. To deliver support where its partners say they need it most, Australia has transformed its development program through Partnerships for Recovery, pivoting 400 individual programs worth $840 million. As part of Partnerships for Recovery, we are releasing 27 country-specific COVID-19 Development Response Plans, which were created in close consultation with its partner countries, said Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne.
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Simply Elements fined $13,320 for alleged unlawful importation of surgical face masks in relation to COVID-19
The TGA, part of the Department of Health, has issued an infringement notice for $13,320 to Melbourne-based company Simply Elements Pty Ltd for the alleged unlawful importation of surgical face masks in relation to COVID-19. Simply Elements allegedly breached a condition of the Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices-Face Masks and Other Articles) (COVID-19 Emergency) Exemption 2020 (the exemption) by importing surgical face masks that were not, at the time of the importation, included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) and were not being imported for supply to the National Medical Stockpile.
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW has reported no new cases of locally transmitted COVID-19. Seven cases in overseas travellers in hotel quarantine were also reported, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 4,181. There were 13,686 tests reported, compared with 15,329. Of the new cases
- Seven were acquired overseas and are now in hotel quarantine.
There were no locally acquired cases. The last time NSW reported a day with no locally acquired cases was 19 October. NSW Health is treating 80 COVID-19 cases, with no patients in intensive care. Ninety-one per cent of cases being treated by NSW Health are in non-acute, out-of-hospital care.
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Aged Care

29 October

Complete overhaul of aged care system needed
Many of the recommendations from the Counsel Assisting the Aged Care Royal Commission back the Australian Medical Association's (AMA's) long-standing calls for a complete overhaul of the aged care system, President Dr Omar Khorshid said. The Counsel Assisting made 124 recommendations, including a new Aged Care Act based on human rights principles for older people, mandated staffing ratios in nursing homes, increased access to health services, and a new and independent process for setting aged care quality standards. 'Long before our first submission to the Royal Commission, the AMA has been calling for systemic reform to recognise that health and aged care are two parts of the same system.'
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Explosive new evidence reveals hundreds of aged care providers denied access to PPE
Explosive new evidence has revealed the Government rejected more than 1,500 requests for PPE from aged care providers at the height of the COVID-19 crisis, said Shadow Minister for Ageing and Seniors Julie Collins. This included knocking back hundreds of requests from Victorian aged care providers wanting PPE in July and August when COVID-19 tore through nursing homes in the state. Answers provided to the Senate show that of 2865 PPE requests from aged care providers to access the National Medical Stockpile, just 1324 were approved. The Aged Care Royal Commissioners recently described PPE shortages in aged care as 'deplorable'.
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28 October

Operational update - Victorian Aged Care Response Centre (28 October 2020 at 2pm)
The Victorian Aged Care Response Centre continues to provide the robust response effort required to protect the most vulnerable senior Australians living in aged care from the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of Category 1 facilities (critical outbreak) is now zero, from a high of 13 in early August. The work of the Response Centre has also seen the number of facilities with outbreaks continue to fall. The total number of aged care outbreaks since 1 January 2020 is 177; there are now 12 active outbreaks.
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27 October

Wait times too long: Provision of home care must be a continuing priority
Leading Age Services Australia (LASA), the voice of aged care, has renewed its request to work with the Government to reduce the over 102,000 queue for approved Home Care Packages(HCP), while maintaining quality care and an adequate workforce. The June 2020 Quarter statistics show that1 02,081 older people were waiting for an offer of their approved HCP, only a slight reduction on the 103,599 waiting in the March Quarter. 'Continuing to live in their own homes is the top preference for most older Australians,' said LASA CEO Sean Rooney.
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New data confirms more than 100,000 older Australian still waiting for home care
New data has revealed 102,000 older Australians are still facing a lengthy wait for home care, confirming the Government has failed to respond to its Royal Commission. The Royal Commission's interim report described the waitlist for home care as 'neglect' and called for urgent action last year but there are still more than 100,000 older Australians waiting for care. Despite a series of splashy announcements on 'new' home care packages, the Government has failed to deliver real change for older Australians waiting for care, said Shadow Minister Collins.
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26 October

Victorian Aged Care Response Centre (26 October 2020 at 2pm)
The Victorian Aged Care Response Centre continues to provide the robust response effort required to protect the most vulnerable senior Australians living in aged care from the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of Category 1 facilities (critical outbreak) is now zero, from a high of 13 in early August. The work of the Response Centre has also seen the number of facilities with outbreaks continue to fall. The total number of aged care outbreaks since 1 January 2020 is 176; there are now 14 active outbreaks.
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Addressing challenges in aged care through collaboration
The over-reliance on medicines including antipsychotics and benzodiazepines in the management of dementia has been one of the areas of focus of the current Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. A new national educational program by NPS MedicineWise, Dementia and changed behaviours: a person-centred approach, will support health professionals and consumers in caring for people with dementia who experience changed behaviours in both aged care and community settings. NPS MedicineWise medical adviser and GP Dr Anna Samecki said the program's main focus is on the importance of person-centred care.
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Aged care blueprint demands urgent action
Australia has been given a powerful blueprint for a sweeping overhaul of aged care that must convince the Federal Government of the need for comprehensive and urgent change, the Consumers Health Forum said. The proposed recommendations of the Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has set out a persuasive case for a comprehensive set of changes including legislation that would establish an Independent Aged Care Commission separate from the Health Department.
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Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

None this edition.

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Allied Health

None this edition.

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Children's Health

29 October

Supporting CanTeen on National Bandana Day
On 30 October 2020, the Government is urging everyone to wear a bandanna to support young people living with, and recovering from cancer, said Minister for Health Greg Hunt. Now in its 26th year, CanTeen's National Bandanna Day raises awareness and supports young people and their families through exceptionally challenging times. Since it began, CanTeen's flagship fundraising and awareness campaign has raised more than $33 million to support young people by providing access to programs, counselling and peer support. The Government is supporting CanTeen through ongoing investment of $22 million over four years for their Youth Cancer Services (YCS) program.
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27 October

NSW: More work needed to reduce child deaths in NSW
A new report shows where progress has been made by NSW Government and non-government agencies over the last 12 months in implementing measures aimed to prevent child deaths. The NSW Child Death Review Team Annual Report 2019-20 was tabled in Parliament. Acting NSW Ombudsman and Convenor of the NSW Child Death Review Team (CDRT), Mr Paul Miller, said: 'The report identifies the CDRT's recommendations to prevent or reduce the likelihood of child deaths, whether they have been accepted by agencies, and the progress that has been made to implement them.'
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26 October

Button batteries - tiny batteries, big danger
The ACCC is urging parents and carers to be aware of the serious risks associated with button batteries, as it launches its 'Tiny batteries, Big danger' safety campaign. In Australia, one child a month is seriously injured after swallowing or inserting a button battery, with some of them sustaining lifelong injuries. Button batteries are flat, round batteries with diameters up to 32mm and heights ranging from 1-11mm. They are found in a surprising number of common household items such as toys, remote controls, watches, digital kitchen scales, thermometers and hearing aids.
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Clinical Governance

None this edition.

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Construction and Health Infrastructure

29 October

SA: Building what matters for South Australian cancer patients
A new multi-storey lodge will be built in Adelaide's inner south to accommodate thousands of South Australians impacted by cancer and their families. The SA Government is contributing $10 million towards a $30.3 million Cancer Council SA Lodge, to be built on Greenhill Road at Eastwood, said SA Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade. SA Premier Steven Marshall said this new facility will help to reduce the stress and uncertainty for South Australians and families who are battling cancer.
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27 October

NSW: Planning funds for redevelopment of Grafton Hospital gets green light
The NSW Government has honoured its commitment to residents of the Clarence Valley by announcing funds to progress planning for the redevelopment of Grafton Base Hospital during this term of Government. NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro joined Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis outside the hospital in Grafton to announce planning for the hospital can now get underway. 'Accessible quality health care is essential when living in rural and regional NSW and today's announcement means we can commence planning work for Grafton Base Hospital, as promised to the people of the Clarence Valley,' Mr Barilaro said.
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Dental

29 October

The trick is in the treat say the nation's dentists - 17 ways to survive Halloween from the ADA
'COVID social distancing restrictions don't have to kill off Halloween this year - just be smart about the way you do it and how your family wolfs down those sugary treats. Australians taking part in 'trick or treat' this Halloween should eat sweets in single sittings rather than repeatedly returning to the pantry throughout the day to grab more,' said the Australian Dental Association (ADA), 'as grazing on sweet treats is one of the worst habits for teeth.'
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27 October

Uptake of Seniors Dental Benefits Scheme critical for our senior population
'If we're to turn the tide on poor oral health in aged care, Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission into Aged Care's proposal to introduce a Senior Dental Benefits Scheme must be given serious consideration by the Commissioners,' said the ADA. The ADA is pleased the Royal Commission has agreed with its proposed alternative to funding oral care for certain seniors, but knows the recommendations now need to be followed through with some urgency. 'Creating such a scheme is critical to building better oral health among people in aged care,' said Dr Carmelo Bonanno, ADA Federal President. 'Without the funding mechanism to ensure that private dental practitioners can provide screening and treatment, the oral health of our most vulnerable population will continue to be neglected.'
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26 October

Uptake of Seniors Dental Benefits Scheme critical for the senior population
'If we're to turn the tide on poor oral health in aged care, Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission into Aged Care's proposal to introduce a Senior Dental Benefits Scheme must be given serious consideration by the Commissioners,' said the ADA. The ADA is pleased the Royal Commission has agreed with its proposed alternative to funding oral care for certain seniors, but knows the recommendations now need to be followed through with some urgency. 'Creating such a scheme is critical to building better oral health among people in aged care,' said Dr Carmelo Bonanno, ADA Federal President.
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Disabilities

28 October

More than $75 million in grants to support economic and community participation for Australians with disability
More than $75 million in grants is available to organisations and employers who create opportunities for people with disability to contribute to community prosperity and participate in community life as part of the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) program. Minister for Families and Social Services, Anne Ruston, said two grant rounds are now open to support people with disability to participate in community activities including employment. Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Stuart Robert, said the grants provide for supports that enable social, community and economic participation of all people with disability.
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Hands off the NDIS
The Australian disability community has made their voice clear: they do not want mandatory 'independent assessments' for NDIS participants. The Liberal plan for so-called 'independent assessments' will force people with disability to audition for NDIS support before a panel of strangers hired on a private contract by the Government. Many disability groups are unhappy about not being consulted and fear this plan could be further cost cutting by stealth from the Government which last year ripped $4.6b out of the NDIS, said Shadow Minister for Government Services Bill Shorten.
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27 October

Delivering the NDIS: New data to stimulate specialist housing market
Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Stuart Robert said the release of new data on Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) will further stimulate the market and ensure better long-term options for Australians needing specialised housing solutions. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) regularly releases data on participants receiving SDA funding but for the first time will provide data on the demand for SDA across Australia. That data will be broken down to Level 3 Statistical Areas, distinct geographical regions which will help the NDIA and registered providers identify those areas in greatest need.
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26 October

WA: $100,000 for International Day of People with Disability activities
WA Minister for Disability Services Stephen Dawson announced that $100,000 in sponsorship is available for inclusive events and activities to mark the International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) in December. The United Nations sanctioned IDPwD is celebrated globally every December 3, with many events held around and on the day across Western Australia. This year's theme is 'Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 World'.
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Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

None this edition.

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E-Health

None this edition.

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Education and Training

None this edition.

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Funding

26 October

SA: More jobs and better healthcare for South Australians
Thousands of South Australians will benefit from better healthcare, closer to home, through a $42.8 million infrastructure stimulus package which will trigger a series of job-creating projects throughout the state. The $42.8 million package includes a new $6 million step-down unit to care for brain and spinal patients at the SA Government's reactivated Repat, a landmark expansion of the Gawler Hospital Emergency department, an extra $10 million for shovel-ready regional health infrastructure works and a series of other projects for rural South Australia, said SA Premier Steven Marshall and SA Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade.
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Health Professionals

29 October

NSW: Health stars awarded in extraordinary year
The heroic efforts of NSW healthcare workers who this year faced the challenges of bushfires, drought, floods and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have been recognised at the 2020 NSW Health Awards. NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the extraordinary circumstances of the past year made it more important than ever to acknowledge the achievements of healthcare workers in NSW. 'I extend my wholehearted gratitude to all of our health staff for their ongoing efforts during this immensely challenging time,' Mr Hazzard said.
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28 October

Nurses and midwives lead healthcare digital transformation
Minister for Health Greg Hunt said that following the recent release of the national digital health skills and training plan, Australia's largest healthcare workforce of more than 400,000 nurses and midwives can now assess their digital health knowledge and skills against a new professional development framework. Developed by nurses and midwives, the National Nursing and Midwifery Digital Health Capability Framework outlines the core digital health skills and knowledge required for professional practice in the digital era covering patient care, leadership, advocacy, education and research. As frontline healthcare professionals, nurses and midwives are playing a leading role in Australia's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
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26 October

SA: More ED Doctors and Nurses to Help Ease Pressure at FMC
Flinders Medical Centre's Emergency Department has been boosted by an additional nine emergency doctors to staff the expanded ED as part of the Government's $86 million Southern Health Expansion Plan. SA Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the additional medical coverage will allow the 12 beds in the Emergency Extended Care Unit (EECU) to come online, easing pressure in the ED and assisting patient flow across the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN).
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Hospitals

29 October

Team-based models of care - It's time to make it work for patients
'Providing high quality, co-ordinated care for people with complex chronic diseases is an ongoing challenge' said Alison Verhoeven, Chief Executive of the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA). 'While the need for team-based models of care has been promoted for decades, our health system is still facing challenges in operationalising them. The COVID-19 pandemic has really tested our health system's capacity to provide person-centred, proactive and co-ordinated care for people with complex chronic diseases. Yet this need to do things differently has demonstrated just what can be achieved when team-based care is enabled.'
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NSW: $1 billion Nepean Hospital redevelopment fast-tracked
NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard and NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres the fast-tracking of the project was announced at a topping out ceremony of Nepean Hospital's 14-storey tower, which reached its highest point of construction. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the NSW Government's $1 billion investment in Nepean Hospital will future-proof health services in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains for decades to come.
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28 October

SA: A boost for TQEH
The SA Government is boosting its investment in The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH), with an extra $50 million of enhancements to the hospital's redevelopment which includes a new Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit and operating theatres. SA Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the scope of the build was broadened following a clinical services planning review and its budget has been revised up from $264 million to $314 million.
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Insurance

27 October

Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA)
Speech by General Manager (Advice and Approvals) Peter Kohlhagen, to the 19th Annual Health Insurance Summit - 'Health check: View of impact of COVID-19 on private health insurers'
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Medicare

None this edition.

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Men's Health

None this edition.

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Mental Health

28 October

WA: Supporting the workforce to build capacity in mental health, alcohol and other drugs
The WA Government has allocated an immediate additional $1.2 million to deliver workforce development in the mental health, alcohol and other drug community sector. This initial suite of programs will support workforce development in key areas identified by peak bodies, service providers, stakeholders and consumers and carers. They cover key focus areas of need including building the peer workforce; Aboriginal culturally secure services; building capacity in trauma-informed care; and providing employment pathways, said WA Minister for Mental Health Roger Cook.
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26 October

Grant applications now open for tech-savvy men's sheds
Men's Sheds negotiating the new era of social distancing and remote learning can apply for grants from the NSW Nationals in the federal government to help ease the transition into the digital age. Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said funding available under round 21 of the National Men's Shed Development Programme will prioritise IT equipment and training to help increase connectivity amongst shedders. Grants will also target projects with strong health, wellbeing or safety emphasis, in acknowledgement of the impact of COVID-19 and the needs of Men's Sheds in the recovery period.
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24 October

National Network of Mental Health First Aiders
Australians who support veterans and their families are being trained as 'Mental Health First Aiders' through free training offered by Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling and ex-service organisations around the country. Minister for Veterans' Affairs Darren Chester said Mental Health First Aid and suicide prevention training offers veterans, and the people who support them, an opportunity to 'square away' their own mental health so they can take care of themselves and those around them. Whether it's packing your kit or sorting yourself and gear in other ways, 'squared away' is a military concept where once you have yourself sorted, you are then able to help those around you.
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23 October

Stay connected this Veterans' Health Week
Veterans and their families will be able to participate in almost 400 events, both in person and virtually, nationwide as part of Veterans' Health Week. Running from 24 October to 1 November 2020, the theme for this year's Veterans' Health Week is Social Connection, one of the most important aspects of maintaining your overall mental health and wellbeing. Minister Chester said it was fitting that this year Veterans' Health Week focused on social connection, and encouraged all those in the ex-service community to get involved in some of the events, or at the very least to check in on a mate.
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Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System

None this edition.

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Pharmaceuticals

29 October

Immuno-oncology KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) registered for patients with a certain type of head and neck cancer
Immuno-oncology therapy KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), has been listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), for the treatment of eligible patients with a certain type of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and will imminently be reviewed by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) for reimbursement on the PBS. MSD announced that its cancer treatment KEYTRUDA has been listed for use as monotherapy or in combination with platinum and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy, for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or unresectable recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and whose tumours have a biomarker called PD-L11.
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27 October

KANGAROO 2019 Mega 3000 tablets
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) tested a product labelled KANGAROO 2019 Mega 3000 tablets and found that: the tablets contain the undeclared substances sildenafil and tadalafil. Consumers are advised that sildenafil and tadalafil are prescription-only (S4) medicines in Australia. The supply of KANGAROO 2019 Mega 3000 tablets containing undisclosed sildenafil and tadalafil is illegal.
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H.R.D. Tablets
H.R.D. Tablets pose a serious risk to your health and should not be taken. The TGA has tested a product labelled H.R.D. Tablets and found that: the tablets contain the undeclared substances sildenafil and tadalafil. Consumers are advised that sildenafil and tadalafil are prescription-only (S4) medicines in Australia. The supply of H.R.D. Tablets containing undisclosed sildenafil and tadalafil is illegal.
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Medicines 'guarantee' exposed as a cruel sham
The Government's 'landmark' medicines 'guarantee' has been exposed as a cruel sham, with the money missing from the Budget - but new medicines cuts included. Greg Hunt claimed that 'the Budget creates a landmark PBS New Medicines Funding Guarantee ... provid[ing] new funding for the listing of new medicines'. Hunt's own Department of Health officials confirmed that the 'guaranteed' $700 million a year for new listings is not even in the Budget, said Shadow Minister for Health Chris Bowen.
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