Thursday, 1 October 2026
Free COVID vaccines narrow, Bulk-billing consent transition, Pharmacist UTI prescribing expansion
- 01
Free COVID vaccination narrows to higher-risk groups from October
COVID vaccines will move to the National Immunisation Program from 1 October, ending Australia’s standalone program and limiting free vaccination to groups at higher risk of serious illness. Free doses will remain recommended for people aged 75 and over twice yearly, people aged 65–74 and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50–74 annually, and severely immunocompromised adults aged 18–64 annually. ATAGI advises other adults aged 18–64, pregnant women from 20 weeks’ gestation and some higher-risk people seeking a second annual dose to consider privately funded vaccination after discussing risks and benefits with a healthcare provider. Private vaccination has been estimated to cost A$130–$150. The change comes as SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate, while research estimated vaccination prevented 4,900 deaths in Victoria in mid- to late 2021.
- 02
Medicare clarifies bulk-billing consent transition and compliance pathway
The Federal Government has issued updated information on assignment-of-benefit requirements for bulk-billed services, three months into a 12-month transition period. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing confirmed that verbal assignment is permitted for all bulk-billed patients in all settings during the transition, allowing practices more time to update workflows, train staff and adapt systems. The department said it would focus on education and prevention as providers move towards compliant processes, while continuing to investigate legal options for simpler bulk billing and providing advice to the Government later this calendar year. The review follows RACGP concerns about obtaining consent from patients with limited physical or cognitive capacity, particularly in aged care, and the Government has said it will explore further reductions in administrative burden while maintaining Medicare integrity.
via RACGP newsGP
- 03
Evaluation backs expansion of Tasmania’s pharmacist UTI prescribing service
Tasmania’s 12-month pharmacist UTI prescribing pilot delivered 6534 episodes of care, with antibiotics supplied to 91% of patients, and its evaluation recommended making the service ongoing. Among 120 surveyed patients, 88% reported feeling better after treatment and 25% needed follow-up care, mostly with their GP; no adverse outcomes were formally reported during the pilot. The evaluation concluded the model likely reduced patient costs and pressure on GP and hospital services, and recommended safety advice rather than mandatory routine follow-up for every consultation. The RACGP said the patient survey was too small to establish safety and outcomes, and raised concerns about misdiagnosis, unnecessary antibiotic use and fragmented care. More than one-third of surveyed pharmacists could not communicate with a patient’s GP after treatment, while some pharmacies reported temporary closures, workforce pressures and difficulty maintaining other services.
via RACGP newsGP
- 04
FDA approves Parkinson’s dopamine agonist tavapadon after phase 3 trials
The US Food and Drug Administration approved Juvmo (tavapadon), a dopamine agonist for Parkinson’s disease, following phase 3 trial results. Clinical trials indicated it may be less likely than some existing dopamine agonists to cause behavioural effects such as impulsive decision making, shopping and gambling, as well as hallucinations and blood pressure changes. Parkinson’s UK said tavapadon targets slightly different dopamine receptors from currently available drugs in the class and described the approval as an encouraging milestone. The source provided no timeline for approvals or availability outside the US.
via BMJ
- 05
Liver events prompt tighter monitoring in admilparant Phase 3 program
Bristol Myers Squibb changed the long-term safety extension of its Phase 3 Aloft trial to increase monitoring for liver-related adverse events. A “limited number” of liver safety events occurred during testing of admilparant, including a participant death, although it remains unclear whether the deceased participant received the drug. The fatal event involved multi-organ failure with liver damage, immune damage to red blood cells and widespread clotting, while most other events were mild, transient or consistent with hepatic adaptation. The amendment classified liver injury as an important potential risk and required closer monitoring of participants with elevated liver enzymes, while independent monitors repeatedly recommended that the trial continue as planned. The events renewed concerns about liver toxicity across the emerging LPA1R inhibitor class, with study results expected by the end of the year.
via BioPharma Dive
- 06
PIP QI data show gains in chronic disease recording
Recording of several chronic disease and preventive care measures improved over the three years to July 2026 in the latest national PIP QI snapshot. Of 6244 participating general practices, 5882 were included in the final AIHW dataset after technical and data quality issues were considered. The proportion of patients with an HbA1c result recorded in the previous 12 months rose to 60% for type 1 diabetes, 74.9% for type 2 diabetes and 70.5% for undefined diabetes. Recording also increased for CVD risk factors, cervical screening, alcohol consumption, height and weight, and smoking status. Influenza immunisation status recording declined across older patients and those with diabetes or COPD, while results varied substantially between Primary Health Networks.
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.