The 'Dispatched' Podcast

Welcome to the first podcast video recording. Recorded at the recent Pfizer Invites event, this episode focuses on the rapidly emerging private market and whether it can catalyse meaningful medicines reform to benefit patients who are either waiting extended periods for funded access, paying for it themselves, or missing out altogether,

Should industry groups present the agreement negotiations to patient groups and 'invited' stakeholders, and if so, what should they say? Why the private market for GLP-1 medicines could be a historic catalyst for the changes so many want.

The impact of new media guidance from Australia's health technology regulator can now be assessed against the backdrop of its use of an AI platform initially developed for, and still used by, intelligence and law enforcement agencies. Why is the debate in Australia so limited, confined to a small group of privileged insiders, and why do so many appear uncomfortable with patients having meaningful rights?

A week dominated by discussions about AI that was all of good, less good, self-serving and ironic. Surely we can grasp the opportunity while managing the risks. A dehumanising outcome for women living with a form of advanced breast cancer must surely trigger ministerial intervention and another highly questionable Intergenerational Report.

This week, we mark a significant anniversary, discuss the risks of missing the opportunity that artificial intelligence offers to speed access to healthcare, and explore why some might be reluctant to embrace it. The wonderful irony of the phrase of the week.