E-drug: Response to the crisis in the Australian PBS
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Hi E-Druggers,
I am very concerned about what is happening in Australia. I would
encourage every E-Drugger to e-mail or fax or write to the
Parliamentary Secretary in Australia Senator Grant Tambling to tell
him how concerned we are about the changes which are being
contemplated.
Recently Australia was recognized by WHO as having the second highest
health status in the world. Part of the reason for this rating was the
universal access to health care provided to their people. Australia
has the best system in the world for ensuring that needed drugs are
made available to all of their people at a reasonable price. The PBS
scheme and the people who have made it work particularly Prof David
Henry are world resources.
They have shown that the drug companies can be confronted. Now it
looks as though the companies are going to win.
If this happens every other country will get the message that you cannot
control drug prices and ensure access to drugs to all. This would be
terrible.
I have taken the fax number, the e-mail and postal address from the
web site of Senator Tambling so please contact him soon. The bill is
due to go to Parliament on Monday so this is URGENT!
Fax 08 8981 3022 (International +61 8 8981 3022)
Postal Address GPO Box 4196 Darwin NT 0801 Australia
Email senator.tambling@aph.gov.au
Possibly Beverley can suggest who else we should e-mail.
Richard Laing
Boston University School of Public Health
richardl@bu.edu
Fax 08 8981 3022 (International +61 8 8981 3022)
[ I am waiting for advice from David. We will let you know any other
ideas ASAP. Thank you for very much for this initiative. Beverley-
co-moderator.]
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