Medicine in Australia could soon become more expensive and harder to come by.

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme – the safety net that keeps our prescriptions cheap – has been drawn into Donald Trump’s trade war, after the US president signed an order saying the United States should not pay more for medicines than its peer countries.

Drug companies have now paused new PBS listings and warn some treatments may never reach Australian patients.

Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis, on how one decision in Washington could force Australians to pay more for vital drugs – and whether Canberra has the leverage to stop it.

 

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Guest: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis.

Photo: AP Photo/Julio Cortez

Medicine in Australia could soon become more expensive and harder to come by.
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme &ndash; the safety net that keeps our prescriptions cheap &ndash; has been drawn into Donald Trump&rsquo;s trade war, after the US president signed an order saying the United States should not pay more for medicines than its peer countries.
Drug companies have now paused new PBS listings and warn some treatments may never reach Australian patients.
Today, special correspondent for&nbsp;The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis, on how one decision in Washington could force Australians to pay more for vital drugs &ndash; and whether Canberra has the leverage to stop it.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis.
Photo: AP Photo/Julio Cortez

An independent daily news show. We feature the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

An independent daily news show. We feature the country&rsquo;s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper.

A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper. Hear from the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

How Trump could make Australian medicines more expensive

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/1e939024-b026-45eb-a679-b300006be7eb/transcript

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