Medicines Australia appoints Abbott Press Secretary

Medicines Australia, the pharmaceutical industry representative body primarily responsible for the drugs listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) has announced two key appointments today, both of whom hail from an Abbott government background.

The new Director of Communications and Government Relations Jason Boyce served as Senior Press Secretary to Prime Minister Tony Abbott MP for three years.

“His experience working closely with members of Parliament as well as a decade of experience as a senior journalist will be a valuable addition to the Medicines Australia team at a crucial time for the local medicines industry,” says Medicines Australia spokesperson.

Dr Martin Snoke has been appointed as Manager of Policy and Research and will start at Medicines Australia in June after finishing up as Assistant Director of the Parliamentary Budget Office. He has previously worked as an assistant director in the Department of Health.

The PBS received attention in this year’s federal budget, with new drugs receiving scheduling. However the looming Trans-Pacific Partnership spells dire news for the Australian pharmaceutical industry and our citizens requiring access to patented drugs and biologics. Whether a pharmaceutical regulation body with governmental roots will be beneficial or not, it will be a pill we will have to swallow.