466 days is too long: Australians deserve timely access to new medicines

Australia is often hailed as having one of the best healthcare systems in the world — but we could have it so much better.

Right now we have affordable access to more than 5,200 important medicines that help to prevent illness or even potentially save lives.

However, our system is in urgent need of change, with new and innovative medicines taking well over a year to become accessible to Australians.

How Australia gets access to subsidised medicines

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is the system responsible for providing Australians with subsidised access to medicine approved through the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

While the PBS is a cornerstone of our healthcare system, the scheme hasn’t been comprehensively reviewed in 30 years.

As such, the system used to approve medicines on the PBS is no longer keeping pace with the speed of medical innovation. This means longer review times, resulting in a delay in access to treatments and vaccines.

Once the TGA confirms a medicine is safe and effective, it takes an average of 466 days for it to become available on the PBS. That is more than 100 days slower than the OECD average and more than 300 days slower than Japan, Germany and the UK.

These delays could mean poorer health outcomes for some patients or missing out on a potentially life-saving treatment for others.

The message is clear: we need a system designed for today, not 30 years ago.

“When my mum was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, genetic testing meant she qualified for a drug trial. That drug is now available for treatment of other cancers but wouldn’t it be great if cancer patients could get access to new treatments more quickly?” – Robyn.

How you can help bring about change

The first step is simple: click here to pledge your support for a stronger PBS.

The Stronger PBS campaign aims to cut wait times from 466 to 60 days once a new medicine is deemed safe and effective. By adding your name, you’ll join the thousands of Australians asking for:

• Faster access to the right medicines.
• Reduced wait times and less strain on hospitals.
• Better health outcomes over time.

More ways you can help:

• Spread awareness on social media using the #StrongerPBS hashtag.
• Ensure your friends, family, and anybody directly affected by PBS limitations are aware of the campaign and its importance.
• Ask your pharmacist or GP about the campaign on your next visit.
• Have you been personally affected by a lack of access to medicines? Share your experience with Medicines Australia by emailing [email protected].

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.