27 Sep 2000
Australian Story
BREAKING STORIES : Weekly Archive
MP calls for free drugs in special cases
A Federal Labor MP is calling on the major pharmaceutical
companies to provide a small number of drugs free to sufferers.
Kevin Rudd says many pensioners in acute need are missing
out on medication because of the high cost of imported drugs.
He says one example is sufferers of PARKINSON'S disease, who
face bills of $165 a month for what's considered the best
medication.
"Act as proper corporate citizens, acknowledge that you're
already making a huge profit from the PBS [pharmaceutical
benefits scheme] system but for these small number, relatively
small number of special access regime drugs for patients in
advanced medical conditions to provide those free of charge, I
don't think that's a huge ask," he said.
© 1999 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
--
Judith Richards, London, Ontario, Canada
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