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https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/22/us-pharma-trump-australia-pbs-explainer>
"Pharmaceutical companies in the United States – where millions can’t afford
life-saving drugs – are trying to interfere in Australia’s national, subsidised
medicine system.
In Australia, prices for pharmaceutical medicines are capped at $31.60 if
listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
It’s a far cry from the prices Americans pay. Lipitor, a cholesterol-lowering
drug that prevents heart attacks and strokes, can cost about A$2,000 in the US,
and autoimmune drug Humira more than $11,000. Sildenafil, or Viagra as it’s
more commonly known, can cost more than $4,000 in the US.
A report by research organisation Rand found that US drug prices were, on
average, about 370% higher than in Australia and 278% above the OECD average.
Big pharma US wants to sell more drugs in Australia for more. Its demands are
now entangled with the ongoing trade tariff war. First, it was steel and
aluminium; now, the Trump administration is looking at targeting medicines and
meat.
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) has taken aim
at the PBS in a submission to the US government for not allowing them to charge
Australians more and for delays getting their products to market."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
