Partnering for Patients: Our third annual Patient and Parliament Summit

Bristol Myers Squibb Australia held its third annual Patient and Parliament Summit in Canberra, with around 50 patient advocates and patient group representatives in attendance.

The theme of the summit, Partnering for Patients, reflected the increasingly important role patients have in their own healthcare, as well as the critical role of the patient voice in the broader healthcare system. 

The value that patients can bring clinical trial design and health technology assessment through engagement with policy makers, clinicians, industry, and other health stakeholders was a key focus of the summit.

The summit explored the importance of early and continuous engagement of patient communities and was particularly timely following the recent release of the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) policy and methods review report as well as the Enhance HTA report from the Enhanced Consumer Engagement Process. 

In recognition of the patient organisations and patient advocates at the Showcase, Minister Butler said: “To the patients here – thank you for being brave enough to share your stories and to use your experience to help others. Australia has some of the most confident and most effective patient groups in the world – and particularly when it comes to engaging with government and with policymakers.”

Minister Butler referenced a recent global survey of more than 1100 patient organisations which found that out of 19 countries Australiaʼs patient groups lead the world in confidence that they have influence. 

“Influence on government and policymakers, influence on drug approvals and reimbursement, influence on the provision of healthcare, and influence on access to medicines,” Minister Butler said.

The global survey by ‘PatientViewʼ concluded that “Only Australian patient groups appear to exert the most influence in all four spheres of activity within healthcare systems – policymaking, healthcare provision, healthcare education and pharma R&D”.  

Minister Butler thanked BMS for bringing everyone together, including 2024 Australian of the Year Professor Richard Scolyer who provided the keynote on his perspectives as both clinician and patient. 

The increasingly important role of patients in their own healthcare

By engaging with MPs, Senators and policy advisors, patient organisations and patient advocates were able to share their stories, highlight the importance of the patient voice and demonstrating patients are their own best advocates.

Hayley Andersen, Director, Patient Advocacy & Policy, Bristol Myers Squibb said: “With the release of the HTA review and Enhance HTA reports, the environment is primed for positive change with respect to the engagement of patient communities in healthcare and healthcare systems, particularly with respect to HTA decision making and patient access to innovative medicines. Coming together with key stakeholders at the summit represents an important opportunity to determine ways to advance healthcare reform that can best serve Australian patients.” 

James McAdam, Director, Government Affairs, Policy & Advocacy, Bristol Myers Squibb said “BMS is proud to provide a platform for patients and patient organisations to bring their messages direct to parliamentarians through The Patient and Parliament Summit program.”