倡議團體推動改善澳洲藥物獲取管道
Advocacy Groups Push for Better Access to Medicine in Australia
Updated at: June 25, 2026 at 10:30 AM
澳大利亞各地的倡議團體正加緊努力，以改革藥品補助計劃（Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme，簡稱PBS），這是一項負責補貼藥物費用的政府計劃。
Advocacy groups across Australia are stepping up their efforts to reform the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), the government program responsible for subsidizing medication costs.
儘管PBS長期以來一直是澳洲醫療體系的支柱，但批評者認為它正難以跟上快速的醫學創新。
While the PBS has long been a pillar of the Australian health system, critics argue it is struggling to keep pace with rapid medical innovation.
一個主要擔憂是藥物從獲得監管批准到患者實際可獲取之間存在顯著的延遲。
A primary concern is the significant delay between a medicine’s regulatory approval and its actual availability to patients.
這種官僚作風的滯後意味著患有慢性或複雜疾病的患者往往錯失了改變生命的療法。
This bureaucratic lag means patients with chronic or complex conditions often miss out on life-changing therapies.
此外，生活成本的上升使得許多澳洲人難以負擔處方藥，導致了「成本相關的不遵囑服藥」，即個人因費用問題而跳過劑量。
Furthermore, the rising cost of living has made it difficult for many Australians to afford their prescriptions, leading to 'cost-related non-adherence' where individuals skip doses.
為了應對這些問題，一個由患者團體、醫療專業人員和行業領袖組成的聯盟正敦促政府對醫療技術評估體系進行現代化改造。
To address these issues, a coalition of patient groups, medical professionals, and industry leaders is urging the government to modernize the Health Technology Assessment system.
他們主張進行系統性改革，包括以患者為中心的決策，以及提供「過渡性資金」以支持在批准空窗期的藥物獲取。
They advocate for systemic reforms that include patient-centered decision-making and 'bridging funding' to support access during approval gaps.
倡議者認為，透過投資於更快地獲取藥物，政府可以減少長期的醫院成本，並提升人口的整體生產力和福祉。
By investing in quicker access to medicine, advocates argue that the government can reduce long-term hospital costs and improve the overall productivity and well-being of the population.
