Parliamentary Friends of Pain Management Event

The Parliamentary Friends of Pain Management held an event on 2 August 2023 at Parliament House Canberra with Healthy Bones Australia and Amgen Australia to review “The Case of Better Osteoporosis Prevention and Pain Management” (image caption below). Patient advocate Carole David and Rosemary Crane shared their personal stories and the significant impact osteoporosis and related fractures have had on their lives. A/Prof. Peter Wong explained the current prevalence and cost impact of osteoporosis and the need for early diagnosis and access to effective treatment.

Parliamentary Friends of Pain Management Co-chairs Senator Helen Polley and Senator Wendy Askew expressed their support for helping prevent painful fractures for people with poor bone health.

Event MC and CEO of Healthy Bones Australia, Greg Lyubomirsky, thanked all politicians for attending the event and stressed the organisations commitment to achieving best outcomes for consumers affected by osteoporosis including equitable access to the most beneficial treatments.

Amgen General Manager, Gabi Mittas thanked patients advocates and the event co-chairs and expressed the benefit for the wider community to have access to the most effective osteoporosis treatments.

• Left to Right: Co-chairs Senator Helen Polley and Senator Wendy Askew

• Left to Right: Patient Advocates Carole David and Rosemary Crane

• Left to Right: A/Prof Peter Wong, Medical Director, Healthy Bones Australia and Greg Lyubomirsky, CEO Healthy Bones Australia,

• Image of Round Table discussion

• Endocrinologists A/Prof. Cherie Chiang and Dr Weiwen Chen, Carole David, Senator Helen Polley and Rosemary Crane

Feature Image Left to Right: Gabi Mittas (GM, Amgen), Rose Crane (patient advocate) A/Prof Cherie Chiang (Uni of Melb), Carole David (patient advocate), Dr Weiwen Chen (endocrinologist, Staff Specialist St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney) Senator Helen Polley (Co-chair Parliamentary Friends of Pain Management),  Gavin Pierce MP Shadow Minister for Health, Aged Care and Indigenous Health Services, Mary Doyle MP, Greg Lyubomirsky CEO, Healthy Bones Australia, Ann Webster MP Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional Health, Pat Conaghan (Shadow Assistant Minister for Social Services), Melissa McIntosh Deputy of Standing Committee Health, Aged Care and Sport, A/Peter Medical Director Healthy Bones Australia, Senator Wendy Askew (Co-chair Parliamentary Friends of Pain Management)

Also present but not in main group photograph, Senator Deb O’Neil (Chair of Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services)