Super gonorrhea spreads important health message to Parliament House

NPS MedicineWise launched its policy priorities in Canberra, spreading super gonorrhea toys around Parliament House to highlight the importance of fighting antibiotic resistance.

As part of the launch, NPS MedicineWise was joined by celebrity GP and sexual health specialist, Dr Cindy Pan, for a special presentation on the rise and spread of super infections, like super gonorrhea.

“Globally, antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest threats to human health,” says CEO of NPS MedicineWise Dr Lynn Weekes. “Fighting antibiotic resistance is crucial to the health of the Australian community, and forms a key part of our policy priorities.”

“Dr Cindy Pan is well known for tackling public health issues which can sometimes be a little awkward or difficult to discuss.

“Her presentation on a new and nasty strain of gonorrhea – ‘super gonorrhea’ – provides a stark illustration of how easy-to-treat infections are fast becoming untreatable superbugs.”

In the report, NPS MedicineWise highlights new and innovative policy ideas to improve health and economic outcomes for individuals, the health system, and the nation.

The report, $500,000,000 in savings, and counting, highlights five key areas where NPS believes policy change is required to successfully deliver the national medicines policy and achieve a healthier Australia now and into the future.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Weekes said Australia needs ideas from a range of stakeholders, observers and experts to achieve a stronger, safer and more effective health system into the future.

“Some problems in health care are hard to solve. They are big problems, expensive problems – problems that continue to affect large numbers of people around the country,” says Dr Weekes.

“NPS MedicineWise has enjoyed 15 years of bipartisan support for creative and collaborative policy solutions that help to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Australia’s health system.”

“This report highlights areas where we believe a mix of policy and regulatory change will improve national health outcomes, support Australian health professionals, and ensure the ongoing viability of our medicines industry.”

The priorities document contains a suite of policy recommendations in relation to the following five areas:

• Fighting antibiotic resistance.
• New and emerging e-health technologies.
• Quality use of medical tests.
• Safer medical devices.
• Industrial sustainability – clinical trials.