Sydney, AUSTRALIA – The peak pharmaceutical industry body in Australia has warned that lengthy wait times for medicines to be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) are a more urgent issue than potential pharmaceutical tariffs imposed by the US government.
Urgent Action Needed to Speed Up Medicine Approval Process Medicines Australia CEO Liz de Somer stated that the current median wait time of 22 months for a new medicine to be listed on the PBS after regulatory approval is unacceptable and could have deadly consequences for patients.
“Patients will die waiting for new medicines to be listed,” she emphasized.
The PBS listing process has been criticized for being overly complex, taking too long, and involving excessive red tape.
Advocates argue that the process needs to be streamlined to enable patients to access lifesaving medicines more quickly.
The federal government received a comprehensive review of the PBS system last year, which included recommendations to speed up the listing process.
Health Minister Mark Butler acknowledged the concerns, stating that the government is working through the review’s recommendations to ensure faster access to medicines for Australians.
However, the government has yet to formally respond to the review’s findings, instead setting up an advisory group to guide its next steps.
Rare Cancers Australia CEO Christine Cockburn emphasized the need for urgent action, citing cases where patients are forced to access their superannuation or remortgage their homes to pay for lifesaving medication not covered by the PBS.
The Australian government is also concerned about the potential impact of US President Donald Trump’s proposed 250% tariff on pharmaceutical exports to the US.
However, Labor has categorically ruled out touching the PBS in any trade negotiations, stressing that the scheme is not up for negotiation.