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)
2 July
COVIDSafe app to be available in Arabic, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese
02 JUL: The COVIDSafe app will be updated to operate in five additional languages to help more Australian residents confidently use the app. Minister for Health Greg Hunt said the latest update to the app will add five of the most commonly spoken languages in diverse communities in Australia. 'These changes offer an improved user experience for more than 1.5 million Australians who speak Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean and Vietnamese,' Minister Hunt said 'As part of our commitment to supporting multicultural communities, we have also translated fact sheets and posters into 63 languages and had over 5,200 engagements with different multicultural communities and leaders, including more than 900 in Victoria.'
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COVID-19 update: Western Australia
The Department of Health has reported: 'No new cases of COVID-19 in Western Australia overnight. The State total remains at 611. The State total remains at 611. There are currently four active cases in WA. All four are quarantined in Perth hotels. A total of 598 people have recovered from COVID-19 in WA. Yesterday 691 people presented to WA COVID-19 clinics - 669 were assessed and 665 were swabbed. To date there have been 188,953 COVID-19 tests performed in WA. Of those tested, 33,206 were from regional WA.'
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1 July
NSW: Stay COVID-19 safe as restrictions eased
As NSW relaxes more COVID-19 restrictions, new rules will be put in place to prevent Melbourne residents living in virus hotspots from travelling across the border. NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the Government will impose strict penalties on Melbourne residents in outbreak areas who seek to enter NSW in defiance of the NSW public health orders. These orders will incorporate the same restrictions as those being put in place in Victoria. Individuals who fail to comply with the new rules could face up to six months in prison or a fine of up to $11,000 or both.'
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
There are currently 63 COVID-19 cases being treated by NSW Health, with one in intensive care. They do not require a ventilator. In NSW, 2,787 people are known to have recovered from COVID-19. Since 29 March 2020, 3,506 symptomatic returned travellers have been tested in hotels, with 111 of those (3 per cent) found positive. Since day 10 screenings of quarantined travellers began on 15 May 2020, 12,997 have been screened with 74 found positive.
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QLD: Top Queensland communicable diseases expert to help Victoria battle COVID-19
Queensland Health is sending its top communicable diseases expert, Dr Sonya Bennett, to Victoria to assist with the response to the COVID-19 outbreak, with another 40 registered nurses to follow after an expression of interest was sent out by Queensland Health. Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles said the rising number of cases in Victoria meant that all assistance needed to be given to help manage the outbreak. 'We have done very well so far, but we have a duty to help each other when these sorts of local outbreaks arise, and Dr Bennett is one of the leading experts in this field,' Minister Miles said.
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WA: COVID-19 update - 1 July 2020
The WA Department of Health has reported no new cases of COVID-19 in Western Australia. The State total remains at 611. There are currently four active cases in WA. All four are quarantined in Perth hotels. A total of 598 people have recovered from COVID-19 in WA. 690 people presented to WA COVID-19 clinics - 657 were assessed and 652 were swabbed. To date there have been 185,850 COVID-19 tests performed in WA. Of those tested, 32,747 were from regional WA.
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30 June
Legal supply of COVID-19 test kits
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is working with suppliers to ensure that Australia has tests available to support efforts in managing the COVID-19 emergency. There are two pathways to legally supply these types of tests:
- undergoing an expedited TGA assessment of the COVID-19 test and obtaining approval for inclusion in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG)
- supplying COVID-19 tests under the emergency exemption to accredited pathology laboratories. This exemption will cease on 31 July 2020 (for supply after this date, COVID-19 tests will need to be included in the ARTG).
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QLD: Restrictions eased, border plan in place
The Queensland State Government announced a further and faster easing of restrictions across Queensland from 12 noon, Friday July 3, including a clear plan to manage the borders going forward. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said anyone who had travelled from Victoria - including Queenslanders - would be prevented from entering Queensland from this Friday unless they quarantined at a hotel at their own expense for two weeks. The state's borders would be opened to visitors from other states from July 10. Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Steven Miles said the accelerated relaxation of restrictions in stage 3 will collectively mean a greater return to normality for all Queenslanders.
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WA: COVID-19 update - 30 June 2020
The WA Department of Health has reported two new cases of COVID-19 in Western Australia. A man in his 40s and a woman in her 60s both travelled to Perth from the UK and Pakistan respectively. They are both in hotel quarantine. The State total is now 611. There were two recoveries recorded so there are currently four active cases in WA. All four are quarantined in Perth hotels.
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29 June
Queensland woman fined $7,560 for alleged unlawful advertising in relation to COVID- 19
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued three infringement notices totalling $7,560 to a woman based in Brisbane for alleged unlawful advertising in relation to COVID- 19. The woman allegedly advertised, through her website and eBay store, a hydrogen peroxide product for therapeutic use that is not included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Unless a specific exemption, approval or authority applies, therapeutic goods must be entered in the ARTG before they can be lawfully advertised to the general public in Australia. The advertising allegedly suggested that hydrogen peroxide could be used, including by consumption, as a treatment for COVID-19.
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What do COVID-19 tests tell us?
Testing for COVID-19 can provide some much-needed information to help understand and manage this viral infection on an individual, local, national and global level. NPS MedicineWise has published a new article for consumers on COVID-19 testing which explains the different types of tests available in Australia and answers people's frequently asked questions. 'The most reliable way to test someone for a current COVID-19 infection is with what we call a PCR test, which is the test being administered at the COVID-19 clinics around the country right now,' says Dr Jill Thistlethwaite, medical adviser at NPS MedicineWise and GP.
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
Seven new cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed between 8pm on 27 June and 8pm on 28 June, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 3,184. All of the new cases are those of returned travellers in hotel quarantine. A total of 11,833 tests were notified in the reporting period, compared with 18,114 tests in the previous 24 hours. NSW has carried out more than 842,000 COVID-19 tests. There are currently 53 COVID-19 cases being treated by NSW Health, with none in intensive care. In NSW, 2,784 people are known to have recovered from COVID-19.
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28 June
NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
Three new cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed between 8pm on 26 June and 8pm on 27 June, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 3,177. One case is a 34-year-old overseas cargo airline crew member who became unwell during transit. Close contacts have been identified and further investigations are underway. The other two new cases are returned travellers in hotel quarantine. A record total of 18,114 tests were notified in the reporting period, compared with 23,733 tests in the previous 24 hours. NSW Health thanks the community for continuing to take COVID-19 seriously and for getting tested.
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VIC: Mandatory Testing For Returned Travellers
Victoria will implement mandatory testing for all returned travellers in hotel quarantine, said Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Victoria is the only state that has been testing returned travellers twice - on day 3 and day 11 - but the day 11 test will be a mandatory requirement to be eligible for release after 14 days. Those who refuse to comply with testing will be required to remain in quarantine for a further 10 days - 24 in total - to ensure they pose no risk of introducing coronavirus to the Victorian community, said Victorian Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos.
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26 June
QLD: Qld COVID-19: Economic recovery plan continues amid strong health response
Queensland's comprehensive plan to Unite and Recover from the global COVID-19 pandemic has continued with a focus on outback tourism jobs, agricultural industry development and sporting events, as just one new case is recorded and active cases fall. There are now two active cases, 1054 recovered and a total of 1067. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said although the whole world was facing a long and difficult path to recovery, Queensland's COVID-19 figures this week were evidence of a strong local health response paving the way for the state's economy to reopen more quickly.
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Aged Care
1 July
New compliance ratings a small step towards genuine quality indicators for aged care
Leading Age Services Australia (LASA), the voice of aged care, says the new compliance rating system for residential care is a beneficial move for prospective residents and their families. Beginning on 1 July 2020, every Commonwealth subsidised residential aged care service has a Service Compliance Rating in the 'Find a provider' section of the My Aged Care website. 'This new system will make it much easier for older Australians and their loved ones to understand how residential aged care services they are using, or considering entering, are complying with the Aged Care Standards,' said LASA CEO Sean Rooney.
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ACT: New ACT Seniors' Card now online
Eligible Canberrans can also now apply for the card online as well as in person at the Council of the Ageing (COTA) ACT office during normal business hours. Cards will still be able to be obtained at Access Canberra Service Centres during the designated quiet periods of 9am to 11am weekdays. Applications can also be made over the phone through COTA ACT and MyWay Administration Office. ACT Minister for Seniors and Veterans, Gordon Ramsay said the option to apply online would provide convenience for older Canberrans.
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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
1 July
Protect your baby against meningococcal B
The meningococcal B vaccine is free for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants under 2 years of age. Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious condition with young children more at risk. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged under 2 are at even greater risk - about 4 times higher compared with non-Indigenous children, said the Department of Health. For this reason, the meningococcal B vaccine is now covered under the National Immunisation Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children under 2 years of age. From 1 July 2020, the meningococcal B vaccine will be given at the same time as other routine baby vaccinations at 2, 4 and 12 months.
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Children's paracetamol liquid returns to front-of-counter, but supply limits remain
The Medicine Shortages Working Party has agreed that pharmacies can return children's paracetamol liquid formulations to front-of-counter, as demand for these products has eased. Pharmacists are encouraged to use signage to indicate to customers that purchases of these products will be limited to one unit. Supply limits and the requirement to place paediatric paracetamol behind the counter were introduced in March 2020 in response to a sharp increase in demand that resulted in local out-of-stocks. The Department of Health, through the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), has been working with pharmaceutical companies and wholesalers to monitor supply of paracetamol paediatric formulations.
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Clinical Governance
1 July
WA: Government invests $36 million for elective surgery blitz
The WA Government will invest $36 million towards an elective surgery blitz following the impacts of the pandemic. The significant boost will enable approximately 5,800 more elective procedures to be conducted by the end of this year than was projected prior to COVID-19, said WA Premier Mark McGowan and WA Minister for Health Roger Cook. Western Australian health service providers will use a number of strategies to clear the elective surgery waitlists - extending the hours of operation in theatres to accommodate the extra patients on twilight and potentially weekend surgery lists, increasing hours of work available to existing staff, and using additional staff if required.
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30 June
New workplace exposure standard for silica dust
The Government is acting to protect Australian workers against the harmful effects of silica dust by reducing the workplace exposure standard for respirable crystalline silica from 1 July this year. Under the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth), the exposure standard will be halved. Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations Christian Porter said the change represented an important step forward in the fight against preventable dust diseases in the workplace. Minister for Health Greg Hunt said the changes complemented the additional work being done by the National Dust Disease Taskforce to develop a national approach for the prevention, early identification, control and management of dust diseases.
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ACT: Boosting elective surgery and specialist outpatient clinics
The ACT Government is continuing efforts to recover from the impacts COVID-19, by increasing investment in Canberra's public health system to reboot impacted health services. This $30 million funding will deliver more elective surgeries, more outpatient appointments and more medical procedures to meet increased demand following the suspension of many Category 2 and 3 services in March. ACT Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the Canberra's health services have worked collaboratively to plan for the boost in services in 2020 21.
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26 June
Prescription nicotine based vaping
Australia's medical experts, including the AHPPC, have warned of the health dangers of e-cigarettes, said Minister Hunt. This is consistent with the existing ban in all states and territories on the sale of e-cigarettes containing vaporiser nicotine. Smoking rates in Australia have declined significantly over the past two decades, from 22.3 per cent in 2001 to 13.8 per cent in 2017-18. But the latest statistics show tobacco use still contributed to an estimated 21,000 deaths, or more than one in eight, in 2015.
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Construction and Health Infrastructure
None this edition.
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Dental
None this edition.
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Disabilities
1 July
Delivering the NDIS: roll-out complete across Australia as Christmas and Cocos Islands join world-leading scheme
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is now available to all eligible Australians, no matter where they live. The 1st of July marks the completion of the staged national geographical roll-out of the NDIS with Christmas Island and Cocos Island joining the world-leading Scheme. Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Stuart Robert said whilst the milestone is significant, they are continuing to build the Scheme in a practical way. 'It's been incredible to see the growth of the NDIS in seven years, with more than 364,000 people now having benefited from the Scheme,' Minister Robert said.
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30 June
Delivering the NDIS: Digital Partnership Program begins developer onboarding phase
Minister Robert announced the next phase of the Digital Partnership Program to improve the digital experience for NDIS participants and providers. The National Disability Insurance Agency's (NDIA) Digital Partnership Program, which was announced in February this year, manages controlled and secure access to some of the NDIA's data and systems, with the latest phase expanding access to the NDIA Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to more software developers working with registered providers.
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VIC: New Mental Health and Disability Services Commissioner
Treasure Jennings has been appointed as the new Mental Health Complaints Commissioner and the Disability Services Commissioner. Victorian Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley and Victorian Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan announced Ms Jennings will take on the two roles beginning from 1 July 2020 for a five-year term. Victorians will continue to be well supported by two independent bodies that safeguard rights, resolve complaints and provide advice on improving the mental health and disability sectors. Ms Jennings is the former Public Transport Ombudsman and Deputy Chairperson of the Independent Office for School Dispute Resolution Victoria - and is an expert in consumer complaints schemes and working with vulnerable communities.
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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
2 July
RACGP urges overhaul of telehealth to ensure quality patient care
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) called for an urgent overhaul to telehealth and telephone consultations to ensure high-quality patient care. It comes after the RACGP warned patients to steer clear of corporate telehealth pop-ups which have proliferated following the Federal Government's expansion of Medicare-subsidised telehealth and telephone consultations. One new service, a partnership between Chemist Warehouse and telehealth pop-up Instant Consult, enables customers to obtain quick prescriptions via an app after consulting with a GP not connected to their usual clinic. RACGP President Dr Harry Nespolon said telehealth and telephone consultations presented a huge opportunity to improve patient access to care but ensuring quality care was critical.
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1 July
FinTech and RegTech public hearings
The Federal Government's rapid response to introduce telehealth measures during the COVID-19 crisis was transformational, the Senate Select Committee on Financial Technology and Regulatory Technology heard. In public hearings, Committee Chair, Senator Andrew Bragg, heard evidence that measures introduced during the pandemic should now be made permanent features of Australia's health and Medicare system. 'There's no doubt that by ramping up the delivery of telehealth and e-prescriptions we've achieved many years of reform in a matter of weeks and months,' Senator Bragg said.
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COVIDSafe app an important tool in fight against coronavirus
Australian Government's Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Nick Coatsworth said: 'Contact tracing is not a simple process. It relies on skilled disease detectives being able to work with someone with COVID-19 to collect their known contacts, identify where and how unknown contacts were made and reach out. Very early in the pandemic the Australian Government saw the opportunity to use smartphone technology to assist those contact tracers in keeping us safe from COVID- 19. The result was the COVIDSafe app, a purpose built tool to augment contact tracing by recording contact with people who also have the app installed on their phone.'
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Education and Training
None this edition.
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Funding
None this edition.
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Health Professionals
2 July
WA: Survey finds health workers positive and committed to patient care
Western Australia Minister for Health Roger Cook sad that the results of the second Western Australian health system staff engagement survey have shown increased employee engagement, and a workforce positive about their roles and strongly committed to patient care. Despite the interruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, the survey resulted in an Employment Engagement Index of 66 per cent, up from 62 per cent last year. The annual Your Voice in Health survey is a WA Government election commitment designed to enable staff to identify issues in the workplace and suggest how to better look after their health and wellbeing.
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1 July
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners added to the pandemic response sub-register
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia have announced that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners will be added to the pandemic response sub-register on 1 July 2020. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners have been recognised as an important profession to help with Australia's COVID-19 response. These additional practitioners will join over 35,000 doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, diagnostic radiographers, physiotherapists and psychologists already on the pandemic response sub-register.
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26 June
Legislation to cut red tape for GPs
Legislation to cut red tape and simplify recognition of General Practitioners (GPs) as specialists, streamlining access to higher Medicare rebates for patients received Royal Assent on 16 June 2020. Under the new arrangements, GPs' access to Medicare is determined by their continued registration status with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Medical practitioners who are awarded Fellowship as a GP no longer need to make an application to Services Australia to access Medicare Rebates. The new process allows Services Australia to use the Ahpra register of medical practitioners to determine access to GP rebates through an automatic data feed, said the Department of Health.
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Hospitals
2 July
QLD: Townsville patients to see elective surgery blitz
Over 700 patients in Townsville will benefit from the Queensland Government's elective surgery blitz, announced earlier this month to get non-urgent surgeries back on track following COVID-19. Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles said Queensland Health suspended non-urgent elective surgery following Prime Minister Scott Morrison's announcement that all states and territories would stop non-urgent procedures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 'It was critical to concentrate all necessary resources on keeping Queenslanders safe,' Mr Miles said.
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29 June
29 JUN 2020: DEPT OF HEALTH: PHI 45/20 - Hospital Declaration
27 June
$1 million to Maddie Riewoldt's Vision for clinical trial of new therapies for bone marrow failure
The Government will provide more than $1 million to Maddie Riewoldt's Vision, to support a clinical trial of new therapies for young patients who cannot make enough blood cells due to bone marrow failure, said Minister for Health Greg Hunt. The RESELECT clinical trial will test a number of new treatments for relapsed acquired aplastic anaemia or Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome (BMFS) in younger Australians. It will give patients immediate access to new medicines and combination therapies. At the same time, it will develop a platform to deliver innovative treatments, including cutting edge cellular and gene therapies, to future patients.
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Insurance
1 July
01 JUL 2020: DEPT OF HEALTH: Private Health Insurance Circular PHI 47/20 - Indexation, second-tier, and information provision changes 1 July 2020 - The Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Rules (No. 4) 2020 (the Amendment Rules) were registered
01 JUL 2020: DEPT OF HEALTH: PHI 47/20: Indexation, second-tier, and information provision changes 1 July 2020
01 JUL: DEPT OF HEALTH: PHI 46/20 - Second-Tier Updates - Paper
29 June
29 JUN 2020: DEPT OF HEALTH: PHI 45/20 - Hospital Declaration
26 June
26 JUN 2020: DEPT OF HEALTH: PHI 44/20 - Second-tier Updates - Paper
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Medicare
2 July
Reduced annual charges for medical devices listed on the prostheses list
The Department of Health and Therapeutic Goods Administration said that in response to the suspension of elective surgery due to COVID-19 and the significant impact this has had on parts of the medical devices industry, the Government has agreed to provide a 50 per cent reduction in annual charges for certain medical devices. The 50 per cent reduction in annual charges will be prescribed for the 2020-21 financial year for medical devices included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) as Class IIa, IIb, III and AIMD and which are listed prostheses as defined in the Private Health Insurance (Prostheses) Rules (No.1) 2020.
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26 June
Legislation to cut red tape for GPs
Legislation to cut red tape and simplify recognition of General Practitioners (GPs) as specialists, streamlining access to higher Medicare rebates for patients received Royal Assent on 16 June 2020. Under the new arrangements, GPs' access to Medicare is determined by their continued registration status with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Medical practitioners who are awarded Fellowship as a GP no longer need to make an application to Services Australia to access Medicare Rebates. The new process allows Services Australia to use the Ahpra register of medical practitioners to determine access to GP rebates through an automatic data feed, said the Department of Health.
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Men's Health
None this edition.
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Mental Health
2 July
NSW: 10,000 Gatekeepers to provide suicide prevention support
A legion of 'Gatekeepers' will help protect communities across NSW, with more than 10,000 volunteers in high-risk populations and industries being trained in suicide prevention. NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the NSW Government is proud to deliver the first initiative of the Towards Zero Suicides Premier's Priority with a $2.8 million investment in community gatekeeper training over three years. NSW Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said Gatekeepers play a critical role in community-based suicide prevention because they help connect workmates, friends and family to professional support.
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1 July
'Clock starts as mental health report handed to Government
The Government has received the final Productivity Commission report on mental health, said Shadow Minister for Health Chris Bowen and Shadow Assistant Minister for Carers Emma McBride. With mental health flagged as a priority by Scott Morrison and Greg Hunt during the COVID health emergency, it is critical that a response to the report be finalised by October in order to be funded by the Budget. Under the Productivity Commission Act 1998, the Government is required to table the report in each House of the Parliament within 25 sitting days of receipt.
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30 June
VIC: New Mental Health and Disability Services Commissioner
Treasure Jennings has been appointed as the new Mental Health Complaints Commissioner and the Disability Services Commissioner. Victorian Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley and Victorian Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan announced Ms Jennings will take on the two roles beginning from 1 July 2020 for a five-year term. Victorians will continue to be well supported by two independent bodies that safeguard rights, resolve complaints and provide advice on improving the mental health and disability sectors. Ms Jennings is the former Public Transport Ombudsman and Deputy Chairperson of the Independent Office for School Dispute Resolution Victoria - and is an expert in consumer complaints schemes and working with vulnerable communities.
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29 June
NSW: Early intervention is key for youth mental health
Social isolation during the pandemic and anxiety about the future is creating a 'perfect storm' affecting young people, according to youth mental health expert Professor Patrick McGorry and NSW Health. Patrick McGorry, Professor of Youth Mental Health at the University of Melbourne, discussed the impact of COVID-19 on young people's mental health with Secretary Mark Scott in the latest episode of the Every Student Podcast. 'Mental health is their main health problem even under normal conditions,' Professor McGorry said. 'We have the social isolation and the loss of sources of pleasure and fulfilment in life.'
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Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System
None this edition.
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Pharmaceuticals
2 July
Review of listed medicines with traditional indication
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will be initiating targeted compliance reviews of a selection of listed medicines that use traditional indications in the second half of 2020. If you are a consumer, please be aware that this is part of our normal review process and there is no immediate concern associated with the use of listed traditional medicines.
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1 July
PBS listings to benefit Australians with type 2 diabetes and small cell lung cancer, emergency dispersing measures of PBS medicines extended
The importance of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme has been underlined with new and amended medicines listings on the PBS, and an extension to emergency dispersing measures to support patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Minister for Health Greg Hunt. From 1 July the medicine Ozempic® (semaglutide) will be listed on the PBS as a new treatment option for type 2 diabetes. Ozempic® is a new once-weekly blood sugar (glucose) lowering treatment for the treatment of patients with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes.
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Pre-approval no longer required for ads in specified media
Medicine ads in television, radio, print media, cinema, billboards or other public displays no longer require pre-approval following parliamentary changes to the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. The changes came into effect on 1 July 2020. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) continues to regulate advertising content and there is now greater responsibility on advertisers to ensure their advertising is fully compliant. There are sanctions and penalties for advertising that does not comply with the Act and the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code.
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Consent to import, supply or export therapeutic goods that do not comply with standards - information for industry
Medicines and other therapeutic goods must comply with applicable standards to be supplied in Australia, said the Department of Health and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (the TGA). It is an offence to import, supply or export therapeutic goods that do not comply with a standard applicable to the goods, unless the prior consent in writing of the Secretary has been given (see section 14 the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989) or a civil penalty may be payable (see section 14A of the Act).
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Medicinal cannabis: what you need to know
A new portal by NPS MedicineWise will help health professionals and consumers navigate evidence-based information about medicinal cannabis. The new information helps explain the regulatory framework and process to access medicinal cannabis for both consumers and health professionals, and provides summaries on the latest evidence for medicinal cannabis. The content supplements clinical guidance provided by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for health professionals and provides additional information for consumer and pharmacist audiences.
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30 June
Australian Government proposes strengthening its stance against e-cigarettes containing vaporiser nicotine
The Australian Government intends to ask the Governor-General in Council to make regulations from 1 January 2021 prohibiting the importation of e-cigarettes containing vaporiser nicotine and nicotine-containing refills unless on prescription from a doctor. The Minister for Health Greg Hunt requested the Department of Health to work with the Australian Border Force on a new approach to regulating e-cigarettes containing vaporiser nicotine. The prohibition would remain in place for 12 months pending finalisation of the public consultation on the regulation in Australia of nicotine products by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (the TGA) in the form of an amendment to the Poisons Standard.
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29 June
Australian Chemical Research fined $25,200 for alleged breaches in relation to hand sanitiser
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued two infringement notices totalling $25,200 to Sydney-based company Australian Chemical Research Pty Ltd for alleged breaches of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. Australian Chemical Research allegedly manufactured and supplied antibacterial/anti-viral hand sanitiser not included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), and which was neither an exempt good nor a good that is excluded from the operation of the Act. Unless a specific exemption, approval or authority applies, therapeutic goods must be entered in the ARTG before they can be lawfully manufactured or supplied in Australia.
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TAS: Tasmanians urged to get their flu shots
The announcements around easing COVID-19 restrictions and progress towards recovery are something all Tasmanians can be proud of. Tasmanians are to be congratulated on their continued efforts to keep one another safe, which continues to be this Government's top priority. 'In our effort to ensure Tasmanians do not become complacent, it is timely to remind all Tasmanians that they can help keep themselves and others around them well this winter by having an influenza vaccination as an effective defence against the flu,' said Tasmanian Minister for Health Sarah Courtney.
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Research
2 July
CSIRO uses lab-grown 'lungs' to fight respiratory viruses
Scientists have found that human airway cells grown in a laboratory can reliably be used to study respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, which could help to minimise animal testing and fast-track drugs for human clinical trials. Researchers at Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, found that lab-grown cells from the upper layer of the airway to the lungs - the human bronchial epithelium - reliably mimic a live person's airway's response to viruses. 'We found that our lab-grown airway cells mimic the human airway response to viruses and can be used to quickly test whether antiviral treatments might work against a virus in a real person. Dr Pharo said the airway model could potentially be used to screen up to 100 antiviral compounds within three months, and CSIRO is exploring ways to further accelerate screening including the use of robotic technology.
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29 June
$19 million for Artificial Intelligence health research projects
The Government is investing $19 million in transformative medical research projects using game-changing applied artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, to improve the ways it prevents, diagnoses and treats a wide range of health conditions, said Minister for Health Greg Hunt. The Government is providing more than $8 million for two projects that will use AI to improve mental health treatments for Australians. The University of Sydney will receive more than $3 million to improve youth mental health care through the development of new tools to guide clinical decisions about the appropriate interventions and treatments for individuals presenting for care.
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27 June
Vital Australian research projects to fight antimicrobial resistance and TB in the Pacific
Australia's commitment to support the health and wellbeing of its Pacific Island neighbours remains steadfast, with four new research projects totalling more than $8.3 million to tackle the threat of drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the Pacific region. Minister Hunt said the research had 'the potential to save many thousands of lives in the Pacific and around the world'. Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne said the research reinforced Australia's close relationship with, and commitment to supporting, Pacific Island countries. Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch welcomed the announcement of funding for the research projects.
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$1 million to Maddie Riewoldt's Vision for clinical trial of new therapies for bone marrow failure
The Government will provide more than $1 million to Maddie Riewoldt's Vision, to support a clinical trial of new therapies for young patients who cannot make enough blood cells due to bone marrow failure, said Minister Hunt. The RESELECT clinical trial will test a number of new treatments for relapsed acquired aplastic anaemia or Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome (BMFS) in younger Australians. It will give patients immediate access to new medicines and combination therapies. At the same time, it will develop a platform to deliver innovative treatments, including cutting edge cellular and gene therapies, to future patients.
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Rural, Regional and Remote Health
None this edition.
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Women's Health
1 July
Medibank and Monash University launch OptimalMe
Medibank has partnered with leaders in reproductive health from Monash University, trialling a unique healthy lifestyle program aimed at providing the best health information and support for mums-to-be and ultimately their children. OptimalMe is Australia's first pre-pregnancy to post-birth study. Launching 1 July 2020, the national research trial and pregnancy health program will be delivered via telephone and online, with no face-to-face contact required. The research will be led by Dr Cheryce Harrison and Professor Helena Teede from Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, at Monash University in Melbourne.
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Transcripts
Minister for Health Greg Hunt
02 JUL: Transcript of Interview with Peter Stefanovic, Sky News
Subjects: Lockdown in Melbourne, Failures in hotel quarantine, Mandatory testing, Close the Gap Draft Report, National Cabinet, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
The Department of Health
02 JUL: Transcript of Press Conference by Acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly
Subjects: Victorian coronavirus outbreak, Public health, COVID-19
Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese
02 JUL 2020:Transcript of Interview with Peter Stefanovic, Sky News First Edition
Subjects: Victorian coronavirus outbreak, Hotel quarantine, Eden-Monaro by-election, ABC funding cuts, Draft report on Close the Gap
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
01 JUL: Transcript of Interview with Allison Langdon, Today
Subjects: COVID-19, Victoria outbreaks, Hotel quarantine, National recovery, Border closures, JobKeeper, JobSeeker, Australia-China relationship, Global instability
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
01 JUL: Transcript of Interview with David Koch, Sunrise
Subjects: COVID-19, Victoria outbreaks, National Cabinet, Defence funding, JobKeeper program
Department of Health, Chief Medical Officer
01 JUL: Transcript of Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan's interview with Neil Mitchell, 3AW Mornings
Subjects: COVID-19, Victoria, AHPPC, Epidemiology, Mass gatherings, Sport, Schools
Department of Health, Chief Medical Officer
01 JUL: Transcript of Acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly's interview with Lisa Millar, ABC News Breakfast
Subjects: COVID-19, Victoria, Contact tracing, Masks, Borders, UK
Department of Health, Chief Medical Officer (CMO)
01 JUL: Transcript of Acting Chief Medical Officer, Paul Kelly's Interview with Fran Kelly, ABC Radio National RN Breakfast
Subjects: COVID-19, Victoria outbreaks, Public restrictions, Coronavirus testing
Department of Health, Chief Medical Officer
01 JUL: Transcript of Acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly's interview with Natalie Barr, Channel 7 Sunrise
Subjects: COVID-19, Victoria, Lockdown, State borders, China
Department of Health, Chief Medical Officer
01 JUL 2020: Transcript of Press Conference by Acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul, Canberra
Subjects: Victorian COVID-19 cases, Increased testing, State borders, AHPPC, Hotel quarantine protocols
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack
29 JUN: Transcript of Interview with Tom Connell, AM Agenda Sky
Subjects: NSW infrastructure package announcement, COVID-19, Eden-Monaro by-election, Virgin Australia, Hotel quarantine, Australian Health Protection Principal Committee
Minister for Health Greg Hunt
29 JUN: Transcript of Interview with Leigh Sales, 7:30 Report
Subjects: COVID-19, Victoria, Masks, Victoria's Chief Health Officer, Lockdown, Public health, ADF, Workforce, ICU capacity, National Incident Centre
Deputy Chief Medical Officer
29 JUN: Transcript of Deputy CMO Dr Nick Coatsworth's Interview with Edwina Bartholomew, Sunrise
Subjects: COVID-19 saliva tests, Victoria hotspots, Quarantine periods, COVIDSafe app
Deputy Chief Medical Officer
29 JUN: Transcript of Deputy CMO, Dr Nick Coatsworth's Interview with Peter Overton, Nine News Special
Subjects: Victoria, COVID-19, State borders, Vaccine
Shadow Minister for Health Chris Bowen
29 JUN: Transcript of Interview with Norman Swan, ABC RN Breakfast
Subjects: Coronavirus, Victoria, Govt response, Masks, Border restrictions, Private health insurance reform, JobKeeper
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Reports
Microbiological testing of medicines containing Green-lipped Mussel - Laboratories testing report
Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Complementary medicine oral dosage forms on the ARTG that contain green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) as the active ingredient are generally indicated to help reduce joint pain. Green-lipped mussels are marine shellfish that are efficient filter feeders, concentrating microorganisms, algal biotoxins and chemical pollutants from the waters in which they are farmed and harvested. Consumption of contaminated shellfish can cause serious adverse effects in humans. From 2017 to 2019 the TGA Laboratories undertook testing projects to monitor the microbiological quality of medicines containing green-lipped mussel supplied in Australia.
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Good practice in delivering and evaluating interventions for young people with harmful sexual behaviours
Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety (ANROWS)
The key purpose of this project was to develop an in-depth understanding of the interplay between program design, delivery and outcomes and the contextual factors influencing these, with the aim of informing future therapeutic service development and evaluation for therapeutic responses to young people, aged 10-17 years (inclusive), engaging in HSB. The project grew out of a recognition that service responses for young people engaging in HSB have developed unevenly across Australia.
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How are Australians returning to the new normal, and staying safe, as restrictions ease during the COVID-19 pandemic?
The Melbourne Institute
This analysis has been drawn from Taking the Pulse of the Nation - Melbourne Institute's survey of the impact of COVID-19. The aim of the weekly survey is to track changes in the economic and social wellbeing of Australians living through the effects of the coronavirus pandemic whilst adapting to various changes in Federal and State government policies. Each week, the survey contains responses from 1,200 persons, aged 18 years and over. Sample weights can be used to make the sample representative of the Australian population on gender, age and location.
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Weekly survey
The Melbourne Institute
Australians are changing their use of transport and are in favour of face masks to minimise risks to coronavirus (COVID-19) exposure as they begin to return to outside of the home activities, the latest Taking the Pulse of the Nation survey shows. Led by researchers from the Melbourne Institute: Applied Economic & Social Research at the University of Melbourne, the weekly survey tracks changes in the economic and social wellbeing of Australians. The 12th wave of the survey was conducted from 22-26 June. Recent results reveal individuals are shifting away from public transport. Use of all forms of public transport, including trains, buses, taxis and ride shares, has declined compared to pre-COVID-19. Car use has also decreased slightly and there has been an increase in walking and cycling.
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Use of emergency departments for lower urgency care: 2015-16 to 2018-19
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Findings from this report:
-People in regional PHN areas continue to receive lower urgency ED care more than people in metropolitan PHN areas
-1 in 3 ED presentations (35%, or 2.9 million) were classified as lower urgency in 2018-19, down from 38% in 2015-16
-Just under half of all lower urgency ED presentations were after-hours (47%)
-45% of all lower urgency ED presentations were for people aged under 25
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Australian Public Assessment Report for Dinutuximab beta - Proprietary Product Name: Qarziba
Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
This AusPAR describes the application by Emerge Health Pty Ltd (the sponsor) to register Qarziba (dinutuximab beta) 4.5 mg/mL concentrate for solution for infusion for the following proposed indication: Qarziba is indicated for the treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma in patients aged 12 months and above, who have previously received induction chemotherapy and achieved at least a partial response, followed by myeloablative therapy and stem cell transplantation, as well as patients with history of relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma, with or without residual disease. Neuroblastomas are embryonal tumours of the autonomic nervous system.
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Participant Outcomes - 30 June 2019
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Fundamentally, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was set up to allow people with disability to live 'an ordinary life': to fully realise their potential, to participate in and contribute to society, and to have a say in their own present and future - just as other members of Australian society do. These aims are embedded in the legislation which established the Scheme, the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (the NDIS Act), and included in the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Corporate Plan 2019-2023.
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Indigenous primary health care: results from the OSR and nKPI collections
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
Primary health care organisations play a critical role in helping to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians (hereafter referred to as Indigenous Australians). Indigenous Australians may access either mainstream or Indigenous-specific primary health care services (ISPHCS, hereafter referred to as organisations). Information on organisations funded by the Australian Government under its Indigenous Australians' Health Programme (IAHP) is available through two data collections, the Online Services Report (OSR) and the national Key Performance Indicators (nKPIs).
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Submission to the Senate Select Committee on Financial Technology and Regulatory Technology
Australian Medical Association (AMA)
The AMA reiterated its call for broader access to Medicare-funded telehealth consultations with GPs and non-GP specialists to remain an integral part of the health system beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. AMA President, Dr Tony Bartone, will appear before the Senate Select Committee on Financial Technology and Regulatory Technology to discuss the AMA submission, which promotes the retention of telehealth initiatives. Dr Bartone said that around 20 per cent of all Medicare-funded consultations with a doctor are now being provided by telehealth, either over the phone or via video, since temporary Medicare telehealth items were introduced in March in response to COVID-19.
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Hansards
Federal
24 JUN 2020: SENATE COMMITTEE HANSARD: Community Affairs References Committee - Effective approaches to prevention, diagnosis and support for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - Canberra
23 JUN 2020: JOINT COMMITTEE HANSARD: Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme - Canberra
South Australia
30 JUN 2020: SA COUNCIL HANSARD: Question Time - Coronavirus
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Court Cases
None this edition.
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New Regulations
Federal
Therapeutic Goods (Manufacturing Principles) Determination 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00864
The Therapeutic Goods (Manufacturing Principles) Determination 2020 is an instrument made by a delegate of the Minister under subsection 36(1) of the Act for the purpose of determining written principles to be observed in the manufacture of therapeutic goods. The Determination repeals and replaces the Therapeutic Goods (Manufacturing Principles) Determination 2018 and makes a small number of changes to the principles determined under the former Determination.
Explanatory Statement
Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Rules (No. 4) 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00862
The purpose of the Amendment Rules is to make consequential amendments, effective from 1 July 2020, to the:
- Benefit Requirements Rules:
- increasing the minimum benefits payable by private health insurers for private patients' overnight and same-day accommodation in both private and public hospitals by amending Schedules 1 through 3. The increase is in line with the annual increase to March 2020 in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 2.2 per cent;
- indexing the monetary qualifiers for Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items included in Type A procedure patient classifications.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Remote Area Aboriginal Health Services Program) Amendment Special Arrangement 2020 (No. 1)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00857
The Amendment Instrument amends the National Health (Remote Area Aboriginal Health Services Program) Special Arrangement. The Amendment Instrument increases the bulk handling fee and the patient specific medicine supply fee that is payable to an approved pharmacist or an approved hospital authority in respect of the supply of a pharmaceutical benefit to an approved Aboriginal Health Service in accordance with the Special Arrangement. On and from 1 July 2020, the bulk handling fee is increasing from $3.08 to $3.12 and the patient specific medicine supply fee is increasing from $4.84 to $4.91 in accordance with.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Commonwealth Price & Conditions for Commonwealth Payments for Supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Amendment Determination 2020 (No. 4)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00853
The purpose of this legislative instrument, made under section 98C(1) of the National Health Act 1953 (the Act), is to amend the National Health (Commonwealth Price and Conditions for Commonwealth Payments for Supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Determination 2019 (the Principal Determination) to make changes to the pharmaceutical benefits and ingredients in relation to which particular rules apply for ascertaining the Commonwealth price payable to an approved medical practitioner or an approved pharmacist for supply, and to make changes to the list of pharmaceutical benefits that must be supplied in complete packs.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy) Special Arrangement Amendment Instrument 2020 (No. 6)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00852
The purpose of this Instrument, made under subsection 100(2) of the Act, is to amend the National Health (Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy) Special Arrangement 2011 (PB 79 of 2011) (the Special Arrangement) to make changes relating to the Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy. The Special Arrangement achieves greater efficiency in payment for the supply of injected or infused chemotherapy medicines ('chemotherapy pharmaceutical benefits') to eligible patients being treated for cancer, to reflect the 2010 Budget measure titled 'Revised arrangements for the efficient funding of chemotherapy drugs'.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Pharmaceutical benefits - early supply) Amendment Instrument 2020 (No. 5)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00850
The purpose of this legislative instrument, made under subsection 84AAA(2) of the National Health Act 1953 (the Act) is to amend the National Health (Pharmaceutical benefits-early supply) Instrument 2015 (PB 120 of 2015) (the Principal Instrument). PB 120 of 2015 specifies the pharmaceutical items that are in pharmaceutical benefits for which Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) safety net entitlements will not apply for early supplies, and to specify the period following previous supply.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Price and Special Patient Contribution) Amendment Determination 2020 (No. 5)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00849
The Act provides for the Minister and the responsible person to agree a price that is taken to be the appropriate maximum price of a brand of a pharmaceutical item for the purposes of Part VII of the Act (section 85AD). Section 85B of the Act applies if the Minister and the responsible person have been unable to reach an agreement on a price for the pricing quantity. Whether or not an agreement is made for the pricing quantity, section 85B also applies if the responsible person is dissatisfied with the proportional ex-manufacturer prices that will apply to other pack quantities.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Continued Dispensing - Emergency Measures) Amendment Determination 2020 (No. 5)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00848
The purpose of this legislative instrument, made under subsection 89A(3) of the National Health Act 1953 (the Act), is to amend the National Health (Continued Dispensing - Emergency Measures) Determination 2020 to make changes to the pharmaceutical benefits eligible to be provided as a Continued Dispensing supply.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Prescriber bag supplies) Amendment Determination 2020 (No. 2)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00846
The purpose of this legislative instrument, made under sections 93 and 93AB of the National Health Act 1953, is to amend the National Health (Prescriber bag supplies) Determination 2012 (PB 73 of 2012) to make changes to the list of pharmaceutical benefits that may be supplied by medical practitioners and authorised nurse practitioners, respectively, directly to patients (prescriber bag supplies) and to the maximum quantity or number of units of these pharmaceutical benefits which may be obtained during a specified period by a medical practitioner and an authorised nurse practitioner.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme - Exempt items - Section 84AH) Amendment Determination 2020 (No. 2)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00844
The purpose of this legislative instrument, made under section 84AH of the National Health Act 1953 (the Act), is to amend the legislative instrument titled National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme-Exempt items - Section 84 AH) Determination 2017 (PB 81 of 2017) to make changes to the pharmaceutical items that are determined to be exempt items.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Listed drugs on F1 or F2) Amendment Determination 2020 (No. 6)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00843
This Instrument (the Amending Determination) amends the Principal Determination by adding to F1 one new drug, semaglutide. In addition, it also removes one drug from F1, prasugrel as this drug is no longer PBS listed.
Explanatory Statement
Aged Care (Subsidy, Fees and Payments) Amendment (July Indexation) Determination 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00842
The Aged Care (Subsidy, Fees and Payments) Amendment (July Indexation) Determination 2020 (the Amending Determination) amends the Aged Care (Subsidy, Fees and Payments) Determination 2014 (the Subsidy, Fees and Payments Determination). The purpose of the Amending Determination is to apply routine indexation to the amount of subsidies and supplements payable to approved providers of aged care services in respect of a day from 1 July 2020.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Listing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Amendment Instrument 2020 (No. 6)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00841
The purpose of this legislative instrument, made under sections 84AF, 84AK, 85, 85A, 88 and 101 of the National Health Act 1953 (the Act), is to amend the National Health (Listing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Instrument 2012 (PB 71 of 2012) to make changes to the pharmaceutical benefits listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and related matters.
Explanatory Statement | Supporting Material
National Disability Insurance Scheme (Practice Standards - Worker Screening) Amendment Rules 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00839
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (Practice Standards - Worker Screening) Amendment Rules 2020 (the Instrument) are made under section 209 of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (the Act) for the purposes of section 73T of the Act. The Instrument amends the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Practice Standards - Worker Screening) Rules 2018 (the Rules). The Rules form part of the framework to support the safe delivery of services and supports to people with disability under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Explanatory Statement
Medical Indemnity Amendment (Services Australia) Regulations 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00832
The Regulations is to amend an incorrect reference to Services Australia within the Medical Indemnity Regulations 2020 due to commence on 1 July 2020. This change will enable authorised employees within Services Australia to review relevant decisions made by another employee. At the time of making the Medical Indemnity Regulations 2020, Services Australia (formerly the Department of Human Services) was a Department within the Commonwealth of Australia. However, following a recent Machinery of Government change, Services Australia is now an Executive Agency within the Social Services portfolio.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Subsection 84C(7) Price) Amendment (Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement) Determination 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00820
The purpose of the National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Subsection 84C(7) Price) Amendment (Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement) Determination 2020 (the Amending Determination) is to amend the Principal Determination to change the safety net recording fee used in the calculation of the price of certain pharmaceutical benefits for safety net purposes, consistent with the requirements under the Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement, with effect from 1 July 2020.
Explanatory Statement
Commonwealth price (Pharmaceutical benefits supplied by approved pharmacists) Determination 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00806
The Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement (the Seventh Agreement) between the Commonwealth, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, signed on 11 June 2020 and due to expire on 30 June 2025, includes an agreement between the Commonwealth and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia for the purposes of subsection 98BAA(1) of the Act. The Seventh Agreement sets out the manner in which the Commonwealth price for pharmaceutical benefits is to be calculated.
Explanatory Statement
Health Insurance Amendment (General Practitioners) Regulations 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00794
The Amendment Regulations amend the Health Insurance Regulations 2018 (the Principal Regulations) to remove duplicative requirements for medical practitioners to demonstrate they are a general practitioner in order to gain access to higher Medicare rebates. The Amendment Regulations introduce a streamlined process for Medicare recognition of general practitioners using existing reporting to the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (National Law) as enacted in each state and territory.
Explanatory Statement
Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices-Donor Screening) (COVID-19 Emergency) Exemption 2020
Notifiable Instrument - F2020N00075
The purpose of this legislative instrument is to provide an exemption with the following conditions:
- the relevant kinds of medical devices must only be manufactured or supplied by an accredited pathology laboratory; and
- the laboratory mentioned in paragraph (a) must keep records in relation to such manufacture and supply of the relevant kinds of medical devices for which that laboratory is responsible.
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Australian Capital Territory
Health (Fees) Determination 2020 (No 2)
Disallowable Instrument DI2020-195
This Determination of Fees revokes and replaces the Determination of Fees DI2020-55, dated 23 April 2020. The Determination comes into effect on 1 July 2020 and reproduces Determination DI2020-55 except for:
- items on Attachment A, which have increased by the Wage Price Index of 2.0% (subject to rounding);
- items on Attachment B, which have increased by indexation rates as advised by the Commonwealth;
- items on Attachment C, which have either been removed or added to the fee determination;
- minor wording and numbering changes; and
- the date of effect.
Explanatory Statement
Victoria
30 JUN 2020: VIC, MIKAKOS: Assisted Reproductive Treatment Amendment Regulations 2020 - S.R. No. 64/2020
30 JUN 2020: VIC, DONNELLAN: Disability (Disability (National Disability Insurance Scheme Transition) Amendment Act 2019) Transitional Regulations 2020 - S.R. No. 60/2020
30 JUN 2020: VIC, DONNELLAN: Disability Amendment Regulations 2020 - S.R. No. 59/2020
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Proclamations
None this edition.
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Gazette Notices
Victoria
30 JUN 2020: VIC SPECIAL GAZETTE No. S 323: Assisted Reproductive Treatment Amendment Act 2020 - Section 2(1) - Proclamation of Commencement
30 JUN 2020: VIC SPECIAL GAZETTE No. S 318: Wrongs Act 1958 - Section 28LXA(1) - Notice of Scale of Fees and Costs for Referrals of Medical Questions to Medical Panels Under Part VBA
29 JUN 2020: VIC SPECIAL GAZETTE No. S 309: Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 - Section 55G(2) - Notice of extension of the Medically Supervised Injecting Centre licence
Western Australia
30 JUN 2020: WA GOVERNMENT GAZETTE: General Gazette No. 111 - Health
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Consolidated Legislation
Life Insurance Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1998
Act Compilation - C2020C00186
Act No. 57 of 1998 as amended, taking into account amendments up to Life Insurance Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Act 2020 An Act to impose a levy on companies registered under section 21 of the Life Insurance Act 1995.
Administered by: Treasury
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National Health (Immunisation Program - Designated Vaccines) Determination 2014 (No. 1)
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2020C00540
Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health (Immunisation Program - Designated Vaccines) Amendment Determination (No. 2) 2020.
Administered by: Health
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National Disability Insurance Scheme (Provider Registration and Practice Standards) Rules 2018
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2020C00535
Rules/Other as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Provider Registration - Extension of Exemption) Rules 2020.
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Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements for Remote Communities) Determination 2020
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2020C00532
Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements for Remote Communities) Amendment (No. 5) Determination 2020.
Administered by: Health
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New Bills
South Australia
Radiation Protection and Control Bill 2020 - (LA passed) LC 2R debate 30/6
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New Acts
None this edition.
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