Access the full text.
Sign up today, get DeepDyve free for 14 days.
In Reply. —Ms Derby's comments regarding the PBS in Australia are helpful and add important information to the comparison of the Australian health care system within the United States. The question is, "Why are the per capita expenditures higher in Australia when the costs for comparable drugs (28 of 29 common drugs studied by Ms Derby) are lower?" There are 2 likely possible explanations for this: first, to explain the lower drug prices, the government essentially has monopsonistic power over drug prices included in the benefit scheme, since they are the only buyer in Australia. This allows the PBS to effectively negotiate prices with the drug manufacturers closer to (or at) their marginal costs. Second, to explain the higher total expenditures, there are 2 things to consider with respect to quantity. We wonder if the additional expenditures for non-PBS pharmaceuticals, including over-the-counter preparations, account for some of the difference. Even more significant
JAMA – American Medical Association
Published: Apr 23, 1997
Read and print from thousands of top scholarly journals.
Already have an account? Log in
Bookmark this article. You can see your Bookmarks on your DeepDyve Library.
To save an article, log in first, or sign up for a DeepDyve account if you don’t already have one.
Copy and paste the desired citation format or use the link below to download a file formatted for EndNote
Access the full text.
Sign up today, get DeepDyve free for 14 days.
All DeepDyve websites use cookies to improve your online experience. They were placed on your computer when you launched this website. You can change your cookie settings through your browser.