Health Politics

[Psyber]

This snippet is from a Pharmacy industry source which I have included the link to, but it may require a password so I also quote the introductory summary. It looks like other things will go to pay for what the government believes are the highest priorities.
http://enews.pharmacynews.com.au/cgi-bi ... FA0Zryv0Eg

Pharmaceutical companies are considering whether or not to introduce new drugs for chronic diseases into the Australian market following Federal Cabinet’s decision to defer PBS listing of eight treatments.
In a submission to a Senate inquiry into the Government’s administration of the PBS, Medicines Australia said a survey had revealed several drug manufacturers were considering delaying bringing new medicines to the country as a result of the deferrals. The submission described the decision to require Cabinet to approve all PBS listings and the deferral of the listing of medicines as a bad policy move.
“A number [of companies] were seriously considering delaying various new medicines in the areas of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and mental health,” the submission said.

[gossipgirl]

if true you would have to say its disgraceful

[Psyber]

It is a problem.
Developing a new drug for treatment and running the trials in Australia to get approval here can cost about $10 million per drug.
Given the short patent times here - usually about 5 years - there is not long to recoup from our relatively small population the costs and a reasonable profit.
Without either higher prices per prescription or longer patent periods it is inevitable that new products will only go to more highly populated countries.
Governments don't fund much of this type of research any more - let alone the trials - and private companies can't survive without profit.
[And they'll take their goods first to the places that offer the best return.]