When a country as wealthy and medically advanced as Australia sees its citizens forced to borrow money, crowdfund, or take on second jobs just to afford their prescribed medication, something is deeply wrong.
Despite the promises of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), the system is increasingly failing to serve the needs of everyday Australians.
New data shows that one in ten Australians has had to resort to desperate financial measures to access medicines not subsidised by the PBS. That’s not a statistic—it’s a national shame. Around 43 per cent of people surveyed said they had paid full price for prescription medicines, with a majority forking out between $50 and $100 per script. In some cases, the cost can climb up to $1000.
Behind these numbers are human stories of struggle and injustice. One is Dr Jae Spinaze, a former medical doctor in Brisbane who lives with chronic migraines so severe they have taken her out of the workforce for 15 years. A drug called Aimovig helped her regain some quality of life. But since compassionate access ended, she now faces a $700-a-month bill—unless the PBS steps in.
Aimovig was recommended for PBS inclusion last November, yet delays in paperwork by the pharmaceutical sponsor have stalled the listing. This is a perfect example of bureaucratic gridlock that has real, painful consequences. While the government boasts about reducing the maximum PBS price to $25 from January 2026, this means little for those whose medications are not on the list at all.
In many ways, the system is outdated. The PBS was created to ensure Australians could access essential medications regardless of income. But with over 1000 new medicines rejected or delayed since 2010, its promise has eroded. Pharmaceutical companies like AbbVie argue the assessment and listing process is too slow and rigid. They’re not wrong.
It’s easy to blame drug companies for pricing, but the truth is more complex. The PBS’s rigid approval framework, budget limitations, and lack of transparency also play major roles. Meanwhile, patients are the ones left to suffer, both physically and emotionally. As Dr Spinaze rightly points out, the financial burden of untreated illness eventually weighs on the healthcare system anyway—through hospitalisations, mental health deterioration, and productivity loss.
The Albanese government, to its credit, is reviewing the Health Technology Assessment process. Health Minister Mark Butler has pledged faster access to high-value medicines. But talk must turn into action. Until reforms are implemented, thousands of Australians will continue to gamble with their health.
Australians overwhelmingly support greater investment in medicine access. According to the recent poll, 75 per cent would be willing to pay more tax if it meant better subsidised medications. That’s not just a call for change—it’s a mandate.
The PBS needs more than minor updates. It needs a structural overhaul to meet the realities of modern medicine and patient needs. Medicine access should never be a privilege. In Australia, it must return to being a right.
