News and media
Read our latest news, see departmental media and ministerial releases, and learn how you can have your say.
Departmental media enquiries
Contact for members of the media
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The Australian Government announced a record $503 billion investment in our universal health system in the 2021–22 Budget. We’ve updated our Health Funding Facts tool to use the latest figures. Find out more about our key investment areas.
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If you've been affected by the floods in New South Wales and Queensland there are a range of services you can access to stay on top of your health needs.
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The program that subsidises Soliris® for patients with a rare condition called paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) is changing. Until now, we have subsidised Soliris® under the Life Saving Drugs Program. From 1 March 2022, this will change to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
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We are about to open a consultation about a potential National Medicines Traceability Framework (NMTF) for PBS medicines. If you are an industry participant of the medicine supply chain in Australia, you can take part. Find out how you can get involved and make a submission.
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The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Carewill lead a review and update of the guiding principles for medication management in residential aged care facilities and in the community to support the safe and quality use of medicines.
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The Australian Government has listed a range of medicines for treating multiple sclerosis, asthma and diabetes on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The listings will provide valuable support for more than 51,800 Australians living with these conditions, saving them up to $29,000 a year.
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The Government has added a life-changing new eczema medicine to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The $270 million in funding to list the medicine will help up to 3,600 Australians over 12 years of age living with severe eczema.
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The Australian Government is providing $25 million through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) for research to improve the safe use of medicines and medicines intervention by pharmacists.
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Read the transcript of Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth's press conference about COVID-19 on 11 July 2020.
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A statement from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) on preliminary media reports of the results of a randomised trial of the use of dexamethasone.
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Temporary changes to the PBS will mean people affected by the current bushfires can receive subsidised medicines when a doctor’s prescription is not immediately available.
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The Government has added a life changing new medicine for Australians living with advanced breast cancer to the PBS.
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The Australian Government is investing $3 million to examine the benefits of medicinal cannabis for pain, symptom and side effect management for cancer patients.
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Cheaper medicine is on the way for more than 500,000 patients from October 1, with price reductions for common scripts and new medicines added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), in some cases saving more than $100,000 per patient.
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Patients with intestinal failure associated with Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS), and those suffering spasticity in the upper limbs, will soon have access to greater medicinal support, thanks to new and amended listings on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
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The Australian Government will invest $27 million to provide affordable access to 3 new medicine listings through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 September 2019.
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A new medicinal cannabis manufacturing facility in Southport, Queensland will help meet growing demand in Australia, and secure export opportunities.
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The Australian Government will invest over $40 million to provide affordable access to 2 new medicine listings through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This will help Australians with opiate addiction and those suffering breathlessness throughout their final stages of life.
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The Australian Government is continuing to step up its commitment with the Pacific, pledging an additional $19 million to boost health care across the region.
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We’re looking for people with expertise in relevant clinical or scientific fields or health consumer issues to help ensure the safety of Australia’s medicines and medical products.
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The Australian Government is improving information about the safe and effective use of prescription medicines and certain over-the-counter medicines.
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The Australian Government is improving the information that doctors and pharmacists give to patients about the safe and effective use of prescription medicines and certain over-the-counter medicines.
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The Australian Government is expanding access to a critically important medicine on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) that will help infants living with Cystic Fibrosis and save their families up to $300,000 per year.
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The Australian Government will provide affordable access to four new medicines through the PBS, helping patients living with debilitating and often life threatening conditions.
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A new consumer information campaign to help educate Australians on the safe and effective use of their Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines commenced on 28 March 2019.
Health portfolio news and events
For news and events from our portfolio agencies, go to Our portfolio for links to their websites.