Research Impact
A range of research studies produced by the Unit have be referenced in Australian and overseas media. In addition members of the group contribute to policy debates through opinion pieces published in newspapers and online. The Unit has been particularly active in the area of pharmaceutical pricing. Research findings have also been referenced in parliamentary debates and members of the group have contributed to several public inquiries.
Selected Media Stories
People are less likely to die after hospitalisation for major conditions, Sydney Morning Herald
Why the government should tax unhealthy foods and subsidise nutritious ones, the Conversation
Heart attack deaths more likely at Christmas, the Conversation
Federal election 2016: Death rates by electorate, Sydney Morning Herald
Federal healthcare reform: a major shakeup or a review-fest? Australian Financial Review
Cost of Insulin Rises Threefold in Just a Decade: Study, US News and World Report
Trauma surge likely as war-zone veterans return, the Australian
The high costs of pharmaceuticals in Australia, the Health Report, ABC Radio National
Op-eds
Damned lies, statistics and Medicare, Croakey
Why don’t we know how many people die in our hospitals?, the Conversation
The right prescription: pharmacy sector in dire need of reform, Philip Clarke, the Conversation
Want PBS savings? Fix the pricing for combined drugs, Philip Clarke and Alex Avery, the Conversation
Parliamentary Debates
Prof Clarke’s research on the high cost of some generic medications has been quoted by all sides of politics in parliamentary debates (quotes from Hansard)
“…there are many good things in this bill: price disclosure, reducing the cost of single brand drugs and the closing of the price disclosure loophole with respect to combination medicines—a notorious rort ably identified by Philip Clarke, Melbourne University Professor of Health Economics.”
Senator Leyonhjelm, 23 June 2015. Full text here.
“... But you need not take the word of those of us on this side of the House about the impacts this bill will have on Australians. All you need to do is listen to the experts. Australia's most senior health experts have already warned that this government's budget will put Australia's healthcare system back more than 50 years. Philip Clarke, Professor of Public Health at the University of Melbourne, recently wrote:
Clearly, it is consumers, particularly those with chronic diseases … that will feel the pain from these budget measures.
We on this side of the House are listening to experts like Mr Clarke” Timothy Watts, ALP Member for Gellibrand. 16 July 2014. Full text here.
“..There are no better examples than comparisons with neighbouring countries New Zealand and the UK. I note the work of Philip Clarke but also others writing over the last five years looking particularly at the statin class of drugs, one of the most commonly taken pharmaceuticals in the country” Andrew Laming, Liberal member for Bowman 18 Oct 2010. Full text here.
Contributions to Parliamentary Inquires
Evidence by Prof Philip Clarke to Senate Select Committee on Health - 11/12/2015 - Health policy, administration and expenditure regarding policies to promote the expand use of linked administrative data. Full text here.
Evidence by Prof Philip Clarke & Dr Dennis Petrie, ROAD SAFETY COMMITTEE, Inquiry into serious injury Melbourne — 10 September 2013 Full text here.