Australia now leads the international alliance it helped found in 2013. Plus news from St Vincent's, Omico, and the PBS.
Professor Tony Lawler, head of the Therapeutic Goods Administration, has been elected chair of the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities.
Professor Lawler was elected to a three-year term by ICMRA members at its annual meeting in Amsterdam overnight. He is joined by the incoming vice-chair from Health Canada, and the continuing vice-chair from Brazil’s ANVISA.
ICMRA is a collaboration of more than 40 international medicines regulators, including representation from all regions of the world, and the World Health Organization as an observer.
The TGA was one of ICMRA’s eight founding members when it was established in 2013.
“I am honoured to accept the role of chair of ICMRA, and I recognise the responsibility that comes with such an important global role,” Professor Lawler said.
“ICMRA is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together. It is united by a shared mission – to ensure that patients everywhere have timely access to safe, effective and high-quality medical products.
“This is a mission that transcends borders. Whether regulatory innovation, international supply chains, public health emergencies, or emerging technologies, the challenges we face are global in nature and they require global solutions.
“As ICMRA Chair, I am committed to fostering collaboration, transparency and mutual learning to meet these challenges.
“With the unique expertise of ICMRA’s members, we will build on the strong foundations and shape a future in medicines regulation that is responsive, inclusive, and resilient,” Professor Lawler said.
Professor Lawler also paid tribute to his predecessor Emer Cooke, chair of ICMRA since November 2020.
“Ms Cooke guided ICMRA through some of the most challenging times in recent history, with leadership marked by clarity, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to global cooperation. She has shaped ICMRA into the esteemed, collaborative network it is today,” he said.
Medibank’s loss is St Vinnie’s gain come 2026
It will be a return to a happy hunting ground for Dr Chris Robinson when he returns to the St Vincent’s fold on 1 January.
Dr Robinson is currently Medibank’s chief medical officer (customer), a role he’s filled since September 2023.
But come the turn of the new year, he will be back at St Vincent’s as its national CMO. He was previously the St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney’s executive director of innovation and improvement for three years.
During that time, he led the network’s focus on innovation and change, particularly in the areas of AI, telehealth, and virtual care. He also played a lead role in coordinating St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney’s response to the covid pandemic.
After St Vinnie’s Dr Robinson spent almost a year as medical director of online telehealth platform Eucalyptus, before joining Medibank in November 2022.
St Vincent’s CEO, Chris Blake, said the organisation had conducted an international search to fill the role and was excited that the best candidate was found locally.
“Eighteen months ago, St Vincent’s launched its refreshed strategy. We have a bold agenda on how we can reach more Australians with the care they need and deserve,” said Mr Blake.
“Chris joins us at exactly the right time. His experience in innovation and new models of care – and his energy – will help drive some major initiatives.
“And it’s great that Chris is already steeped in the traditions and values of St Vincent’s. He knows our organisation well. We’re delighted to welcome him back.”
That wasn’t the only major personnel announcement from St Vinnie’s today.
Richard Ryan, the acting CEO for private hospitals for the past five months, has been permanently appointed to the role.
Mr Ryan first joined the organisation as CEO for its NSW private hospitals, and will now oversee 10 private hospitals in Victoria, Queensland, and NSW.
Prior to his time at St Vinnies he spent 19 years at Ramsay Health Care, most recently as CEO of Castlecrag, Hunters Hill, and North Shore Private Hospitals.
Chair transition for Omico
The Australian Genomic Cancer Centre, also known as Omico, has announced the retirement of its board chair, Paul Jeans, and the appointment of his successor, Richard Vines.
Mr Jeans was a founding member of Omico’s board, established in 2018, and has been chair since 2020.
“It has been a great privilege and personally very satisfying to have been part of Omico’s growth and success in demonstrating that precision oncology can be delivered effectively across Australia — providing greater hope and more equitable prospects for all cancer patients,” said Mr Jeans.
“I thank everyone who has contributed to Omico’s success, in particular its founder, Professor David Thomas, and wish Richard and the Omico team great success in promoting the mainstreaming of precision oncology.”
Mr Vines previously served as Omico’s deputy chair from 2018 – 2023. He is also founder and chair of Rare Cancers Australia.
“Omico’s work has transformed what is possible for Australians with advanced and hard-to-treat cancers,” he said.
“As Chair, my focus will be to ensure that every patient who can benefit from precision oncology is given that opportunity — regardless of postcode, cancer type, or means.
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“We will continue to build on Omico’s partnerships across government, research, industry, and advocacy to make precision oncology a standard part of cancer care — mainstreaming its benefits so that genomics becomes business-as-usual within Australia’s health system.”
Omico’s programs have supported 118 oncology clinical trials, attracted approximately $200 million in international investment, created over 1500 jobs, and generated valuable real-world data to guide research, clinical practice, and policy.
PBS recruiting for HTA advisory committees
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced individuals who would like to be considered for upcoming committee member vacancies on national health technology assessment committees and sub-committees including:
- Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC);
- MSAC PICO Advisory Sub-Committee (PASC);
- MSAC Evaluation Sub-Committee (ESC);
- Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC);
- PBAC Drug Utilisation Sub-Committee (DUSC);
- PBAC Economics Sub-Committee (ESC);
- PBAC Nutritional Products Working Party (NPWP);
- Medical Devices and Human Tissue Advisory Committee (MDHTAC);
- Expert Clinical Advisory Groups (ECAGs); and
- Consumer and industry member vacancies.
For further information please contact HTA.EOI@health.gov.au. Expressions of interest must be received by no later than 11.30pm (AEST) on 15 December 2025.
In other DoHDA news, Brian Schumacher has been promoted to first assistant secretary for digital transformation and delivery.