Sunday, 13 September 2026

Women’s health MBS concerns, STAAR rebuilds commercial leadership, Mitapivat lowers thalassaemia transfusion

1. 01

   Draft MBS simplification raises concerns for women’s health care

   Proposed MBS simplification risks reducing the visibility and structure of women’s health care, according to commentary by Dr April Armstrong in The Medical Republic. The Time-Tiered Primary Care Working Group’s Draft Final Report proposed reducing more than 300 time-tiered MBS items to around 150, with a long-term goal of fewer than 100. Its data showed female patients accounted for 65.5% of Level E claims and 55.8% of Level B claims, while female GPs provided a disproportionate share of longer consultations. Proposed changes include ending standalone non-directive pregnancy counselling items, excluding general practice clinicians from antenatal attendance item 16500 and replacing dedicated bloodborne virus and sexual and reproductive health telehealth items with a general exemption to the 12-month rule. The recommendations remain open for public consultation before any government decision.

   via The Medical Republic

2. 02

   Former CEO David Bailey returns as STAAR commercial chief

   STAAR Surgical appointed former CEO David Bailey as chief commercial officer as it continued rebuilding its executive team after the failed Alcon takeover. Bailey, who led STAAR from 2001 to 2008, participated in the successful campaign to block Alcon’s $1.6 billion bid and had criticised the company’s former leadership over operational challenges. He said STAAR’s removable and reversible technology preserves the natural cornea and addresses myopia and astigmatism, positioning it as differentiated from laser eye procedures. Bailey plans to grow sales in China, Japan and the US while expanding into patient populations in South and Southeast Asia, South America and Africa.

   via MedTech Dive

3. 03

   Mitapivat reduced transfusion burden in transfusion-dependent thalassaemia trial

   Mitapivat significantly reduced transfusion burden in adults with transfusion-dependent α-thalassaemia or β-thalassaemia in a phase 3 trial. The oral therapy was generally well tolerated and showed a favourable benefit–risk profile. The findings support mitapivat as the first oral disease-modifying therapy for this patient population, providing a new option to reduce transfusion burden. The source provided no numerical efficacy or safety results.

   via The Lancet

4. 04

   Nepal floods raise fears of longer-term health impacts

   Catastrophic flooding in Nepal has killed thousands, with experts warning of subsequent risks from communicable diseases, malnutrition and mental health conditions. The Lancet report provides limited detail about the affected population, specific diseases or expected duration of these impacts.

   via The Lancet

5. 05

   Conflict and inequality complicate earthquake relief in Colombia’s Chocó

   Healthcare in Chocó, the epicentre of Colombia’s earthquake, was already under severe strain. Conflict and inequality complicated relief efforts, according to The Lancet. The source gives limited detail about the earthquake’s health effects or the response.

   via The Lancet

MDDR is a news digest for medical professionals. It is not medical advice and should not be relied on for clinical decision-making.