Paediatric nephrologist and clinical epidemiologist Professor Jonathan Craig has been appointed Chair of the Medicare item funding advisory body, the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC).

Adelaide-based Professor Craig is an internationally-recognised clinician researcher, and is Vice-President and Executive Dean of the College of Medicine and Public Health at Flinders University. His research has focused on improving the health of people with chronic kidney disease, children, and the health and wellbeing of First Nations people.

Professor Craig will take up the role of MSAC Chair from 1 April 2024 for a four-year term. He takes over the MSAC role from Professor Robyn WARD, a medical oncologist, who has been appointed Chair of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC).

MSAC’s role is to assess applications for Medicare funding for new medical services, programs and healthcare technologies, based on cost effectiveness and clinical need. It provides advice to the health minister and cabinet on new MBS items.

In addition to his role as Chair of MSAC, Professor Craig holds numerous advisory positions, including membership in the NHMRC’s Health Translation Advisory Committee, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee and Commonwealth Department of Health Life Savings Drug Program.

He is a former President of the Australia-New Zealand Society of Nephrology and board member of Kidney Health Australia.

Minister for Health and Aged Care the Hon Mark Butler MP welcomed Professor Craig’s appointment, saying he “brings a wealth of clinical and research experience to the MSAC.”

“The advice of PBAC and MSAC is critical to ensuring Australians can access the medicines, medical services, health technologies and health programs they need,” he said.