This paper considers the likely impact of reforms sought by the US pharmaceutical companies on the PBS system in Australia. The PBS system is currently effective in minimising the price paid by Australians to US pharmaceutical companies. If these price controls were relaxed it is estimated that the cost to Australians of pharmaceuticals will rise...

Over the counter (OTC) medications are commonly used in the community. It is thought by many that they are safe because they are freely available and not regulated by prescription. However, many are of unproven benefit, some preparations do more harm than good, others are toxic in overdose and interactions between OTC preparations and prescription...

Australia's National Medicines Policy is a cooperative endeavour to bring about better health outcomes for all Australians, focusing especially on people’s access to, and wise use of, medicines. The term “medicine” includes prescription and non-prescription medicines, including complementary healthcare products.

This paper focuses on projecting acute care hospital costs for public and private patients, and government expenditure on benefits paid for Medical Benefits Schedule (MBS) items and Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule (PBS) items in the context of an ageing population.