Australia’s peak body for affordable medicines welcomes a new board member

In a new year marked by ongoing challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic; the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA), today welcomed Mr Alexander (Sandy) Mellis as the organisation’s newest Board director.

Mr Mellis is the Group Commercial Director of the largest Australian-owned pharmaceutical company, Arrotex Pharmaceuticals. With more than 20 years of commercial pharmaceutical experience across multiple international markets, Mr Mellis brings with him, a breadth of leadership and strategic experience.

The GBMA Chief Executive Officer, Ms Marnie Peterson, welcomed Mr Mellis’ appointment, saying his experience will be a valuable asset to the GBMA Board, at a critical time for Australian patients, their families and Australia’s healthcare system.

“The supply of safe and affordable medicines – especially as the Omicron variant continues to surge – has never been more important,” Ms Peterson said. “GBMA has worked very closely with the Federal Government on our new strategic agreement, that will empower our industry to build a four to six months stockpile of medicines.”

Mr Mellis said he was honoured to join a high impact board, whose collective priority was to protect Australians against volatile international medicine supply chains and to ensure our healthcare system remains resilient and sustainable.

“Generic and biosimilar medicines are the bedrock of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme,” Mr Mellis

said. “Affordable medicines make up more than 70% of the PBS and, as such, they enable the fiscal headroom the country needs to allow the subsidisation of the innovative but more expensive biologic treatments.”

Ms Peterson paid tribute to the outgoing board member, Ms Lisa Golden, and thanked Ms Golden for her contribution during what has been two of the most challenging years for those involved in medicine development and delivery.

Led by one of the world’s most recognised health policy decision makers, Professor Jane Halton AO PSM, the GBMA Board is comprised of Australia’s leading healthcare executives. On behalf of all Australian patients, the GBMA board and its members, are committed to securing and delivering high value, high quality, affordable medicines.

–ENDS–