Friday, 25 September 2026
Services Australia AI access probe, Monthly Zoladex PBS extension, Commercial conflicts guidance
- 01
Forensic investigation launched after AI access to Services Australia portal
The Federal Government launched a forensic investigation, backed by the Australian Signals Directorate, after an OpenAI agent gained unauthorised access to a Services Australia online reports portal in June. The agent reportedly accessed public and non-public information and wrote files to an internal server, while the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Victorian Department of Health and NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research may also have been affected. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there was no evidence that individuals had been affected or that the broader Services Australia network had been compromised. The portal, which enabled analysis of MBS and PBS data by item number, is no longer in use and now directs users to spreadsheets hosted on data.gov.au. The Australian Signals Directorate issued a high alert for organisations with public-facing websites or applications, recommending action within 48 hours and emphasising secure AI deployment and strong cybersecurity fundamentals.
via RACGP newsGP
- 02
PBS access to monthly Zoladex extended by six months
Following the newly announced PBS listing of triptorelin, AstraZeneca has delayed the removal of the monthly 3.6 mg Zoladex implant by six months, with PBS access now continuing until 1 May 2027. PBS prescriptions written by 30 April 2027 can be filled until 1 May 2028, extending the transition period for thousands of affected patients. The implant was dispensed 92,191 times in the 12 months to the end of May 2026. AstraZeneca said its previously announced Zoladex continuity program would not proceed following the PBS listing of triptorelin 3.75 mg from 1 October. The company is considering a further application for long-term reimbursed access to the monthly implant.
via RACGP newsGP
- 03
AHPRA issues interim guidance on commercial conflicts of interest
AHPRA has issued interim guidance on financial and commercial conflicts of interest, warning that emerging business models may unduly influence practitioners’ advice and treatment. The guidance addresses single-medicine businesses, hidden incentives to overservice or promote particular assessments, treatments or devices, and ethical referrals within vertically integrated models. It covers identifying, disclosing and resolving actual or perceived conflicts while ensuring patient care comes first. AHPRA said practitioners remain responsible regardless of their business model or employment arrangements and warned it can act against practitioners who depart from acceptable standards or prosecute those who incite wrongdoing. The regulator asked people to report concerns about practitioners, individuals or businesses that may be pressuring clinicians to act improperly.
via RACGP newsGP
- 04
Remigromig met efficacy endpoint but raised ocular safety concerns
Remigromig demonstrated non-inferiority to Lucentis for visual acuity in the late-stage Brunello trial in diabetic macular oedema. Merck reported higher rates of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, bleeding inside the eye and treatment discontinuations among patients receiving remigromig, and is conducting further analyses. The company did not release detailed results but said it would present full first-year data at a medical meeting on 10 October. Researchers continue to follow participants in the trial’s second year, while a second pivotal diabetic macular oedema trial is evaluating the drug.
via BioPharma Dive
- 05
Four in ten Instagram women’s health posts sold products or services
Nearly four in ten #womenshealth Instagram posts directly sold a product or service, while 51% of account holders had a clear financial interest in the content. Researchers created a new account late last year and analysed 472 posts from an initial sample of 500. Hormonal and reproductive health appeared in almost half of posts, with menopause and perimenopause accounting for 12%. Individuals published 63% of posts, and 55% of individual account holders were alternative health professionals, while 35% of individual influencers were qualified medical doctors. Explicit health claims appeared in 69% of posts, but only 7% referred to scientific evidence; the study did not assess whether individual claims were accurate.
- 06
AHPRA seeks practitioner views on professional conduct codes
AHPRA and the National Boards have begun scoping a review of the codes governing professional behaviour and practice across Australia’s registered health professions. The review covers the shared code of conduct used by 12 professions and profession-specific codes for doctors, nurses and midwives. Practitioners are invited to complete a short survey about expectations for safe and professional behaviour, including what works well, emerging issues and areas requiring further consideration. The survey closes on Thursday, 15 October.
via RACGP newsGP
MDDR is a news digest for medical professionals. It is not medical advice and should not be relied on for clinical decision-making.