23 September 2015 - Frustration among drug companies with Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme has reached boiling point with more than 80 per cent revealing they are considering withdrawing lifesaving medications from the system during the next two years.

A new report reveals drug companies are fed up with the complex processes involved in getting their drugs listed on the scheme, with most complaining that the system has got worse during the past two years.

Almost 90 per cent of those surveyed admitted they had considered withdrawing crucial medications from the scheme, and complained Australia’s regulatory system was the worst in the world.

The PwC report, Challenges and Change — a report on the Australian Pharmaceutical Industry, surveyed 23 drug companies, with most respondents based in Europe.

A third of those surveyed had 500 or more employees and turnover of $500 million a year. The drugs were not named in the ­report.

For more details, go to: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/health/big-pharmas-had-a-gutful-of-pbs-report/story-fn59nokw-1227539362287?sv=8f30bb67ca002bb06a03a25c22d58f18