UCB works with Medicines Australia to help Australians access therapies they need.
Stronger PBS Campaign
UCB Australia supports the Stronger PBS Campaign, developed by Medicines Australia, to help improve access to medicines for Australians. This campaign brings to light that the system behind the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which has helped Australians access essential medicines for over 75 years, has not been thoroughly reviewed in 30 years. As a result of this lapse in review, access to the latest treatments is more challenging. Doctors are often unable to prescribe the most effective medicines, and patients can wait over a year for new drugs to become available or miss out entirely.
A stronger PBS will ensure timely access to new medicines approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Innovative treatments, particularly for cancer and rare diseases, offer hope, but without reform of the PBS, the system struggles to evaluate and fund these therapies. Reforming the PBS is essential to ensuring Australia can maintain a world-class healthcare system. Nearly two-thirds of Australians rely on PBS medicines, and having access to the right treatment at the right time is crucial. Without timely access, conditions can worsen, quality of life deteriorates, and lives may be at risk. To ensure Australians receive the best possible care, the PBS must evolve to meet the demands of modern medicine by cutting PBS wait times from 466 days to 60 days.
National Strategic Action Plan for Rare Diseases
Along with Medicines Australia, we are proud to support the National Strategic Action Plan for Rare Diseases, which aims to improve outcomes for Australians with rare diseases. Australians face longer wait times for access to innovative rare disease therapies compared to other OECD countries, with some treatments unavailable entirely. The National Strategic Action Plan for Rare Diseases represents Australia’s first coordinated effort to address rare diseases, which are complex, have significant unmet needs, and require systemic reform. Despite the diversity of rare diseases, many share common challenges. The Action Plan, informed by stakeholder consultation, offers a collaborative, evidence-based approach to improve outcomes for Australians with rare diseases. It focuses on three key principles: person-centred care, equity of access, and sustainable systems and workforce. The plan emphasises improving access to innovative therapies, raising public awareness of rare diseases, and providing comprehensive education and information for affected individuals. It also aims to develop a national rare disease workforce strategy to meet future demands, including the growing role of genomics. Furthermore, the plan advocates for integrated, person- and family-centred care, ensuring timely and accurate diagnosis for all Australians living with a rare disease. These reforms are essential to addressing the critical needs of the rare disease community.
AU-OT-2400045. July 2025.