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Background:
In November 2019, members of the Department and the Singapore Ministry of Health
met to discuss a potential ‘work-sharing alliance’ in health technology assessment
evaluation.
In February 2020, the Department and Singapore Ministry of Health began negotiations
to formalise this alliance in a Memorandum of Understanding.
The MoU was drafted with reference to existing memoranda of understanding between
o the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Health Sciences Authority of
Singapore; and
o the Department and the United Kingdom Department of Health and Social Care.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has made engagement more difficult due to shifting
priorities, the Participants have been able to work together to finalise the MoU.
The Participants identified areas of mutual priority, and have formalised these in the
MoU, which seeks to enhance cooperation and collaboration in the following fields of
co-operation:
o Genomics and precision medicine
o Gene therapies
UNDER
1982 CARE
o Cancer treatments
o Joint health technology assessment activities
ACT AGED
o Drug utilisation review
RELEASED
o Medicine shortages
AND
o Capability building on health technology assessment and related skills (e.g.
negotiating risk share arrangements)
BEEN
o Educating stakeholders and the public about health t
INFORMATION
HEALTH echnology assessment
HAS
o Consumer engagement and education as
OF part of the health technology assessment
OF
process
o Diagnostics
o Anti-microbial resistance
DOCUMENT
o National medicines policy (e.g. qu
FREEDOM ality use of medicines)
o Any other emerging health technologi
DEPARTMENT es as determined by the Participants.
THIS THE
The Participants will endeavour to fulfil these objects through effective communication
and exchange of knowledge
THE and expertise in the areas of:
o Health technology
BY assessment
o Pricing negotiations (subject to confidentiality obligations to third parties) and
relevant strategies, including risk-sharing arrangements
o Other collaborative activities involving medicines, medical devices and any other
health technologies.
Sensitivities:
Medicines Australia and originator pharmaceutical companies may raise concerns about
the sharing of confidential information with Singapore under the MoU. Talking points in
a question and answer format, addressing potential lines of enquiry, are provided at
Attachment B.
Consultations:
In accordance with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Guidance Note:
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Australia’s Practice for Concluding Less-Than-Treaty Status Instruments, the draft MoU
was reviewed by DFAT’s International Law: Advising and Treaties Section, which has
confirmed that the draft MoU is drafted in language appropriate for a less-than-treaty
status instrument.
The draft MoU was also reviewed by the Legal and Assurance Division, and incorporates
revisions recommended by them and agreed to by the Singapore Ministry of Health.
The International Strategies Branch and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory
Committee were also consulted during negotiations.
Attachments:
A:
Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health of the Government
of Singapore and the Government of Australia as represented by the Department of
Health in the Field of Health Cooperation.
B:
Talking points.
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1982 CARE
ACT AGED
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BEEN
HAS INFORMATION
HEALTH
OF OF
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FREEDOM
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THE
BY
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HEALTH
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THE
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HEALTH
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HEALTH
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Attachment B
Memorandum of Understanding between Australia and Singapore in the Field of Health
Cooperation
Talking points
What is the purpose of the MoU?
The Memorandum of Understanding between Australia and Singapore in the Field of Health
Cooperation (the MoU) has been entered into by the Parties to facilitate the exchange of
information, knowledge and expertise between the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) and
the Commonwealth of Australia Department of Health (Health), particularly in the areas of
Health Technology Assessment and relevant strategies in managing the high costs of
patented medicines and devices and achieve patient access to timely and affordable
treatment.
What activities will be conducted by MOH and Health under the MoU
UNDER ?
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Details of specific projects for collaboration are still being determined, and will need to be
ACT AGED
agreed by the Parties.
RELEASED
AND
What kind of activities are contemplated by the MoU?
The MoU facilitates the exchange of advice, inform
BEEN ation and expertise, subject to
obligations of confidence, in a wide range of shared priority
HEALTH ar
INFORMATION eas, including health
HAS
technology assessment, medicine shortages, g
OF enom
OF ics and precision medicine, gene
therapies, and anti-microbial resistance, among others.
The Participants may also determine to cooperate in any other field of healthcare as
mutually agreed by the Participants.
DOCUMENT
FREEDOM
DEPARTMENT
Will the Participants share c
THIS onfi
THE dential information, including confidential pricing
information?
THE
BY
No. The MoU expressly states that the Participants may not share or exchange information,
the dissemination or disclosure of which is prohibited or restricted under laws, policies or
procedures applying to that Participant.
Specifically, the MoU does not support any action that could undermine any government
policy that among other things covers:
a)
commercial, industrial or professional secrecy;
b)
protection of the individual and privacy interests;
c)
confidentiality; and
d)
the public interest.
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Does the MoU permit joint evaluations of medicine submissions for the purposes of
reimbursement or health technology assessment?
The MoU contemplates that the Participants may exchange advice, information and
experience in the field of joint health technology assessment.
However, the MoU expressly states that the Participants may not share or exchange
information, the dissemination or disclosure of which is prohibited or restricted under law.
The Participants will therefore not exchange confidential information without the
permission of the party to whom the information relates.
Details of specific projects for collaboration are still being worked out.
Does the MoU permit joint procurement?
Joint procurement is not currently contemplated by the terms as set out in the MoU.
However, the MoU provides that the Participants may determine to cooperate in any other
field of healthcare that is not currently covered by the MoU as mutually agreed.
UNDER CARE
Details of specific projects for collaboration are still being worked out.
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