PBS and Free Trade Agreement

gwenith, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2003

I have my fingers crossed that all that will happen is that we pull the rug out from under some of the bigger pharmaceuticals. More of a worry is that there will be opening for many of our drugs to be made overseas - poorer quality control (in the face of Pan pharmaceuticals:eek: ) and much much poorer environmental protection so that we are in effect "exporting" our pollution problems.

nyapa, RN · Jan 4, 2004

I depend, like a lot of ppl, on medication due to a chronic condition. The cost of those I take would be astronomical should the PBS scheme be rescinded. I dont want to have to go back to medications that I was taking as a child...they never were successful in managing my illness, the window between being toxic and subtherapeutic is very small on the old ones and I am terrified it will affect my ability to work and live independently should I have to return to them.

mags-rn · Jan 5, 2004

Originally posted by dar15
This is something that is really troubling me. If we go ahead with the free trade agreement, what will happen to our Prescription Benefits Scheme? We are so lucky in Australia. We might grumble about being $25 out of pocket every time we pick up a script. I have spoken to ppl in the US who spend hundreds on medications we take for granted. And they have to rationalise what medications they take - ie not what is best for them, but what they can afford.

Any thoughts?
Jacqui

Considering the amount of medication(s) ingested in the western world we are either the sickest bunch that ever lived or the most healthy. While it is true that we are healthier in many respects this is due more to public health and education than pills.

Anything that makes us take a long hard look at the amount of pill popping we (not all) do is not necessarily a bad thing.

In the fifties Eisenhower warned of the Military/Industrial complex and the way it manipulated the system (people) to make exorbitant profits. Perhaps it is about time to turn the spot light on the Medical/Pharmaceutical complex.

The bottom line is that the Drug companies get their profit either way, either from the individual or the society, and what we need to be doing is encouraging people to take control of what ever situation they are in and not to expect a magic pill to "make it all better" because it won't.

Just a thought.

nyapa, RN · Jan 6, 2004

that reducing the amount of medications to what we need is important. I have managed to do that. Down to the nitty gritty. I have epilepsy. I need my medication. If I dont take it the situation obviously becomes dangerous not only to me but to others including my patients. They are NOT magic pills. I do not take anything else. I have reduced my AED dosage by half. But the ones I am on cost a fortune if they are not covered by PBS. If PBS is killed off, I may be forced to resort to Dilantin, which as I stated before does not control my seizures.

So hence, if the free trade agreement goes ahead, and the PBS goes by the wayside, how many ppl such as myself will be unable to afford the cost of medications that are NECESSARY? Or have to change to more inferior medications?

nyapa, RN · Jan 20, 2004

"Nine influential US Democrats have written to President George W Bush "to express serious concerns" over key elements of the free trade agreement (FTA) which appear designed to increase drug prices in Australia.

For its part, the Federal Government will not declare the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) out of bounds just yet, but it is indicating it shares some of the US Democrats' concerns.

Labor's trade spokesman Stephen Conroy says the Federal Government should sit up and take notice.

"This is the leader of the US Democrats in the US Congress, these are serious players in US politics, and they are concerned about the direction of the American negotiators and the possible consequences for not just health policy in their own country, but health policy in Australia," he said.

"They're flagging they're not prepared to give up the right to legislate health policy in the US and Australia should be demanding the same."

The US Democrats are privy to their country's FTA proposal, but say they cannot quote details because it has not been made public.

They say the US demands come at a time when the Bush administration has failed to reduce drug costs for Americans"

This was on the ABC tonight; and it is not the only article Ive had read.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1028122.htm

StuPer · Jan 21, 2004

Hello dar15,

You'll be chuffed to know that according to Sky News this morning that the Labour and Democrat party have said they will scupper any free trade agreement in the Senate if it effects the PBS. So the Liberal Party and its corporate sponsors can cry in their milk if they think they can sacrifice the PBS for the sake of the buck, and prevent Australian patients obtaining essential medication.

Regards StuPer

nyapa, RN · Jan 26, 2004

Just thought I'd give you an idea of costs we might be facing:

Australia

200 enteric coated tabs of 500mg Valproate tablets = 25$ AU

US

90 capsules 250mg Valproic Acid = 167$ US

(couldnt find an EC tablet at 500mg)

Oz

56 tabs Lamotrigine 200mg = 25$ AU (though of course one needs an authorised script here)

US

60 tabs Lamotrigine 200mg = 179$ US

These are the medications I am on, I am dependant on these. This is why I am so concerned we may lose PBS. We are truly the "lucky country"