Global tensions with US President Donald Trump could threaten affordable medicines in Australia
Chrissy Symeonakis, an Australian woman with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, spends $220 monthly on Fampyra, a drug not subsidized by Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), forcing her to forgo treatment due to cost. Experts warn geopolitical tensions, including a US executive order favoring lower global drug prices, could deter pharmaceutical companies from launching medicines in Australia, exacerbating delays in access to innovative treatments." "article": "Chrissy Symeonakis, a 43-year-old Sydney woman with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), faces financial strain to maintain her mobility. She spends $220 monthly on Fampyra, a potassium-blocking drug that helps her walk, but the medication is not subsidized under Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which caps costs at $25 per script. Without it, she risks becoming bed-bound, as past attempts to reduce her dosage left her immobile. The PBS has rejected Fampyra twice, despite its subsidization in Wales and Scotland and ongoing review in England. Australia subsidizes only 44% of new medicines registered between 2016 and 2021, far below rates in Japan (96%), Germany (84%), and the UK (80%), according to Medicines Australia. Delays in approvals and an overwhelmed system further limit patient access. A looming threat comes from US President Donald Trump’s ‘favored nation’ executive order, which prevents Americans from paying more for drugs than in other countries. University of Melbourne health economist Dr Joe Carrello warns this could discourage pharmaceutical companies from launching drugs in Australia, as they would price-match the lowest global rates. If profits shrink, companies may avoid investing in Australia entirely, leaving patients with fewer treatment options. Symeonakis’s diagnosis 13 years ago left her with permanent nerve damage, vision loss, and disability on her right side. She has tried seven medications, some withdrawn or causing severe side effects like skin cancer and diabetes. Now a business owner, she spends around $600 monthly on essential drugs and vitamins to manage her condition, a burden she says has reshaped her life. Experts argue the PBS system, while beneficial, needs reform to address delays and geopolitical risks. Without changes, Australians may face even higher costs or reduced access to life-changing medicines, worsening an already strained healthcare landscape.
Chrissy Symeonakis, a 43-year-old Sydney woman with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), faces financial strain to maintain her mobility. She spends $220 monthly on Fampyra, a potassium-blocking drug that helps her walk, but the medication is not subsidized under Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which caps costs at $25 per script. Without it, she risks becoming bed-bound, as past attempts to reduce her dosage left her immobile. The PBS has rejected Fampyra twice, despite its subsidization in Wales and Scotland and ongoing review in England. Australia subsidizes only 44% of new medicines registered between 2016 and 2021, far below rates in Japan (96%), Germany (84%), and the UK (80%), according to Medicines Australia. Delays in approvals and an overwhelmed system further limit patient access. A looming threat comes from US President Donald Trump’s ‘favored nation’ executive order, which prevents Americans from paying more for drugs than in other countries. University of Melbourne health economist Dr Joe Carrello warns this could discourage pharmaceutical companies from launching drugs in Australia, as they would price-match the lowest global rates. If profits shrink, companies may avoid investing in Australia entirely, leaving patients with fewer treatment options. Symeonakis’s diagnosis 13 years ago left her with permanent nerve damage, vision loss, and disability on her right side. She has tried seven medications, some withdrawn or causing severe side effects like skin cancer and diabetes. Now a business owner, she spends around $600 monthly on essential drugs and vitamins to manage her condition, a burden she says has reshaped her life. Experts argue the PBS system, while beneficial, needs reform to address delays and geopolitical risks. Without changes, Australians may face even higher costs or reduced access to life-changing medicines, worsening an already strained healthcare landscape.
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