International pharmaceutical price differences
Commissioned study
This commissioned study has concluded. The research report was released on 20 July 2001.
Through the Assistant Treasurer, the Department of Health and Aged Care and the Department of Industry, Science and Resources sought the Productivity Commission's assistance in undertaking a research study of pharmaceutical prices.
The objective of the study, which was not a formal public inquiry, was to examine the differences between the prices of pharmaceutical benefit items in Australia - those listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) - and the prices of the same items in comparable overseas countries, and to identify as far as possible the reasons for any differences.