It may seem tempting to try to match the UK’s zero-tariff deal. But here’s why it’s not worth compromising on what Australians pay for essential medicines.
Articles on PBS pricing
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The US is Australia’s biggest export market for pharmaceuticals. If the tariffs go ahead, manufacturing could suffer.
All this talk of a US-Australia trade war has left consumers wondering what this means for them. At least in the short term, it looks like good news.
If Australia followed England’s lead and listed drugs such as Wegovy on the PBS for weight loss, this could bring the cost down from around $500 a month to $31.60.
Neither Ozempic nor Wegovy are listed on the PBS to treat obesity. When Wegovy becomes available, users will need to pay the full price. Or should the government subsidise it?
Children with persistent or severe asthma symptoms need medicines to reduce airway inflammation. But a change last week means these medicines are harder to access.
The government has missed a chance to better target cost cuts to certain patient groups, for certain medical conditions, and for generic drugs.
The EU is asking Australia to extend drug company monopolies. This could mean Australians wait longer for access to cheaper, generic medicines.
It’s exciting to think we’re on the brink of a genomic revolution in health care. But just because new technology becomes available, it doesn’t mean it should automatically be publicly funded.
A Grattan Institute report released today, Cutting a better drug deal, calls for a major shake-up of pharmacies and pharmaceutical pricing.
Top contributors
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Professor of Health Economics, Flinders University
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Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne
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Professor of Public Health, La Trobe University
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Professor of Health Economics, University of Technology Sydney
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Honorary Associate Professor; economics of patents, geographical indications and other "IP"; trade treaties, Australian National University
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Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Macquarie University
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Clinician Scientist Fellow; Paediatric Respiratory Specialist, Murdoch Children's Research Institute
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Head of the Obesity and Metabolic Medicine Group in the Department of Surgery, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University
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Brett Montgomery is a Friend of The Conversation.
Senior Lecturer in General Practice, The University of Western Australia
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Senior Lecturer, Nutrition and Food Science, Australian Catholic University
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Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle
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Senior Conjoint Lecturer, UNSW
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Professor of Health Economics, The University of Melbourne
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Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Health Economics, Monash University
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Senior Research Fellow and Team Lead for Health Technology Assessment, Centre for Health Economics, Monash University