28 September 2020 - Critical medicines are blocked from entering Australia as the supply chain becomes collateral damage in a wharfie dispute at a Sydney port, causing drug shortages and delays.

Imports of common cholesterol and cancer medication, and other PBS listed items for arthritis, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, have been delayed by “go-slow” tactics deployed by the Maritime Union Association (MUA) under protected industrial action at the Patrick Terminal in Port Botany in Sydney.

At least 40 ships are waiting to unload off the coast of NSW, as the MUA seeks a 6 per cent annual salary increase for wharfies for the next four years.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has advised the federal government drug companies are concerned extended industrial action will disrupt medical supplies.

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