DOCTORS REFORM SOCIETY

MEDIA RELEASE

Back to Media Releases

 

Sunday, 3 August 2003

 

DOCTORS WARN PATIENTS’ LIVES AT RISK

 

PATIENTS TO PAY UNITED STATES PRICES FOR LIFE SAVING DRUGS

 

“Reports that prices we pay for life saving drugs may triple because of the US-Australia free trade agreement should be ringing alarm bells across the country,” said Dr Tim Woodruff, President of the Doctors Reform Society. “Cholesterol and asthma drugs save lives”, said Dr Woodruff, “and when their costs skyrocket to $42 or $90 dollars as in the United States, some people will simply not be able to buy them”.

 

“In the United States it can cost up to $1000 per month for drugs now used in Australia to treat diabetes. That is where we are headed if the US trade negotiators get their way,” said Dr Woodruff.

 

“Assurances from the US or our Government that the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) is not a target are wasted whilst the PBS remains listed on the negotiating table,” said Dr Woodruff.

 

“Fair trade for the United States based multinational drug companies means getting everyone to pay top dollar for drugs so that they can make huge profits. What we need to understand,” said Dr Woodruff, “is that for John Howard fair trade means that he can make our PBS so expensive it is unstainable. Then he can say we must go back to the kind of health system which he believes in: a two tiered system where you get high quality care if you can afford it and otherwise you get a second rate safety net.”

 

“The May budget increase in the copayment for drugs (rejected by the senate), indicated that the Howard Government wants patients to pay more for their drugs or go without,” said Dr Woodruff. “This latest move to consider the PBS as something to negotiate in a trade deal is crystal clear evidence that this Government does not care about Medicare: indeed it is keen to do anything it can to destroy the very principles of Medicare: access to high quality health care for all Australians.”

 

“The bottom line. We pay US prices for drugs. Our patients can’t afford them. They get sicker. Some die. And the Howard Government has a trade agreement. And it continues to pretend it is interested in the Aussie battler.”

 

“If this really isn’t an issue” said Dr Woodruff, “why doesn’t John Howard simply take the PBS off the negotiating table?”