Media Release
Friday, 5 March 2004
GOVERNMENT THROWS PATIENTS OVERBOARD AS IT TAMPERS WITH PBS
“Details of the Free Trade Agreement revealed yesterday demonstrate the multiple apparently small concessions designed to keep the US pharmaceutical industry happy at the expense of our patients’ health and happiness,” said Dr Tim Woodruff, President, Doctors Reform Society
“The Howard Government has rolled over to at least four measures which will increase drug costs for our patients and the profits of this already hugely profitable industry,” said Dr Woodruff.
“Firstly it has agreed that the industry can appeal the Government’s own independent committee. That will only happen when the industry wants more money, and will be another mechanism to pressure the committee to approve drugs which are not value for money.”
“Secondly the Government has agreed that the industry can ask for an upgrade in price of an approved drug if new evidence emerges of benefits,” said Dr Woodruff. “But it has made no provision for the Government to cut the price if new evidence shows the drug is not so good.”
“Thirdly, the Government has agreed to subtle changes in patent law which will ensure that the generic drug industry which the Government last year was pretending it was encouraging, will have more hoops to jump through before being able to produce a particular drug,” said Dr Woodruff. “This will effectively increase the patent time for the brand name companies to demand higher prices from our patients.”
“Fourthly, it has agreed to set up a US/Australia committee to look at more changes to our pharmaceutical industry. How will Australians profit from ideas from the US, a country with the most expensive drugs in the world?” asked Dr Woodruff. “Could it be we are meant to adopt policies which will make our system more expensive and less fair?”
“For the sake of an FTA, John Howard is throwing our patients overboard,” said Dr Woodruff. “They will pay more or miss out.”
Dr Con Costa
Vice President
Doctors Reform Society
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Dr Tim Woodruff
President
Doctors Reform Society
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Dr Tracy Schrader Vice President Doctors Reform Society
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