Costello Takes on Big Drug Groups

Drug companies could face restrictions on advertising medicines under a Federal Government Budget push to prevent a blowout in Australia's pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS). Treasurer Peter Costello said that spending on the PBS and Medicare had to be controlled or the health system would collapse, along with healthcare standards for Australians. His comments followed news that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is examining claims that pharmacies routinely mark-up medicine prices by 75 percent a prescription.

The Courier Mail (http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,12834853%255E953,00.html)