Friday, 2 October 2026
Thriving Kids supports open, Diltiazem 360 mg substitution, US reshapes clinical trials
- 01
Thriving Kids rollout opens child development supports for general practice
The first stage of Thriving Kids began on 1 October, giving GPs access to online resources, a national child development advice line and an autism-specific helpline for families. The program targets children aged eight and under with low to moderate support needs and is backed by $2 billion from the Federal Government, matched by participating states and territories. A Medicare-funded Healthy Kids Check is due to start on 1 November, providing a nationally consistent developmental health assessment. Community services will vary between jurisdictions, with parenting programs, peer support, facilitated playgroups and targeted allied health services rolling out progressively through 2027. From January 2028, affected children will no longer receive NDIS support and will instead receive support through Thriving Kids.
via RACGP newsGP
- 02
Diltiazem 360 mg controlled-release brands discontinued in Australia
Australia’s two brands of diltiazem 360 mg controlled-release capsules are being discontinued because of manufacturing issues. Cardizem CD 360 mg became unavailable in June 2026, while Vasocardol CD 360 mg will cease supply from 1 November 2026, with reduced availability expected until stocks run out. The TGA has established a Serious Scarcity Substitution Instrument allowing pharmacists to dispense diltiazem 180 mg controlled-release capsules in place of the 360 mg product without a new prescription. The instrument operates from 1 October 2026 to 1 October 2027 to support continuity of access.
via RACGP newsGP
- 03
US launches programs to accelerate and reshape clinical trials
The US Department of Health and Human Services unveiled government-funded programs to accelerate pharmaceutical research, including the five-year Surpass initiative exploring continuous learning rather than disconnected trial phases. Surpass is seeking proposals for a phaseless design engine, real-time or on-demand analysis, and automation of research activities. ARPA-H also launched three projects focused on speeding trial enrolment, building nationwide data infrastructure and empowering research participants. The efforts aim to make the US more competitive with countries including China and Australia, where trials can begin six to 12 months earlier than in the US and may cost half as much, according to a thinktank report.
via BioPharma Dive
- 04
Medtronic secures US and European cardiac ablation software clearances
Medtronic’s Affera Prism-2 Mapping Software received US Food and Drug Administration clearance and a CE mark for use during cardiac ablation procedures. The software uses magnetic and impedance-based tracking to display diagnostic catheters on a three-dimensional map of the heart’s electrical activity, supporting procedures with little or no fluoroscopy. Updated features help physicians identify heartbeats with abnormal signals and mark when pacing occurs, and the software is used with Medtronic’s Sphere-9 catheter. Medtronic also received a CE mark for PulseSelect ProxBox Adapter with Proximity Indicator software, which provides real-time, impedance-based feedback on catheter proximity to targeted heart tissue before energy delivery.
via MedTech Dive
- 05
NICE reverses decision on NHS access to trastuzumab deruxtecan
NICE has recommended the life-extending breast cancer drug trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu) for NHS use after successful negotiations over its cost. The agency had ruled in 2024 that the treatment was not cost effective. NICE attributed its reversal to recent changes in its cost-effectiveness thresholds and methods for assessing quality of life. In April 2026, it raised the upper threshold range for new medicines from £20,000–£30,000 per quality-adjusted life year to £25,000–£35,000 following a US trade deal under which the UK agreed to spend 25% more on ‘innovative’ new medicines. Charities and patient groups had also lobbied for Enhertu to become available through the NHS in England.
via BMJ
- 06
Card surcharge ban takes effect as primary care changes begin
Following last month’s report on the planned card surcharge ban, the prohibition took effect on 1 October, with payment terminals no longer offering an option to add merchant fees to credit card transactions. Practices will continue paying card network fees, estimated at $2000–$5000 annually for one GP, while any fee applying only to card payments may attract penalties. The first stage of Thriving Kids also began with a resource hub and autism helpline, although the Healthy Kids Check MBS item will not be available for another month. Eligible registered nurses can now apply for authorised nurse prescriber numbers, but PBS prescribing will not be permitted until 1 December 2026 because more vendor testing is required. The My Health Record privacy compliance grace period also ended, introducing additional policy, accessibility and annual staff training requirements.
MDDR is a news digest for medical professionals. It is not medical advice and should not be relied on for clinical decision-making.