Wed 15th Feb 2012

Patients continue to pay too much for life saving drugs

“Patients will continue to pay up to four times more than in other countries for many life saving drugs despite the Federal Government’s new arrangement to reduce drug costs,” said Dr Tracy Schrader, President, Doctors Reform Society.

“In addition this new arrangement will do almost nothing to address the fact that almost 1 million Australians delayed or did not get the drugs they were prescribed because of the cost (according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics patient experience survey).”

“Whilst it is great that the price of some commonly used drugs will fall substantially, many will remain too expensive and puts a strain even on working Australians let alone the most needy in our community. Why does Government approve life saving drugs and then put a price on them which stops the sickest and poorest people from getting them?,” asked Dr Schrader.

Dr Tracy Schrader
President
Doctors Reform Society
Ph 0401042619

Dr Tim Woodruff
Vice President
Doctors Reform Society
Ph 0408892610

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