class action anyone?, page-4

Aramalap2 the article raises this issue again - but can you see the US lifting all their trade barriers.

Global Pharma Cos with new inovative products have received international pricing parity on the PBS for quite a few years now. Patent times were also extended to be consistent with international standards. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee is very fair but it is not a rubber stamp - to be listed new drugs have to show cost effectiveness. To get top dollars they have to show improvement over existing treatments.

Companies can choose to market products as non-PBS items (an often do) if they are not happy with likely PBS reimbursement. There are really no trade barriers to marketing drug products in Australia and approval processes are similar to most other nations.

If the PBS broke down that would be a good thing for Sigma - remember the tight control (screwing) on wholesaler margins revovles strictly around the PBS Scheme.

Can't see any of this having any impact.