AMA says hands off the PBS in US free trade deal
AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, today called on the Federal Government to come clean on its position on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in the Free Trade Agreement currently being negotiated with the United States.
Dr Glasson said Australian patients will pay more for their prescription medicine if the PBS is up for grabs as part of the negotiations, as revealed by US trade representative, Robert Zoellick, at talks in Bangkok this week.
"The US trade agenda is about returning profits to US drug companies," Dr Glasson said.
"But it would be at the expense of the poorest and sickest people in the Australian community.
"If the US gets its way, Australian patients could be paying at least twice as much for their prescription medicines.
"It would mean Australian patients, many of them frail, elderly, chronically ill people, would be paying more from their limited household incomes for essential, life saving or life-enhancing medication.
"The PBS is already under cost pressures.
"Making it subject to the US Free Trade Agreement will undermine the PBS's ability to negotiate lower prices for Australian patients than those that currently apply in the United States.
"The PBS is an internationally admired system that ensures the best possible health outcomes for all Australians.
"For over half a century, the PBS has helped ensure that Australians have health outcomes among the best in the world.
"Research shows that keeping people healthy through access to the right drugs at the right price prevents greater costs to the health system further down the track.
"Our investment in the PBS pays huge dividends in terms of a healthier Australia, and must be protected," Dr Glasson said.
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