What is the aim of the PBS?

• A. To provide free medicines to all citizens
• B. To provide essential medicines to people who need them, regardless of their ability to pay
• C. To subsidize only hospital medications
• D. To fund pharmaceutical industry research

Answer: (C)

The aim of the PBS is to provide essential medicines to people who need them, regardless of their ability to pay. In Australia, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme subsidizes a broad list of prescription medicines so they are affordable, helping people access treatments that improve health outcomes. Medicines are subsidised through government pricing, with patients usually paying a small co-payment (and concessional rates for eligible people). This framework supports equitable access to necessary medicines across the community. Some hospital medicines may be funded through hospital budgets rather than the PBS, but the overarching purpose is affordability and access to essential medicines, not free provision to everyone, not subsidising only hospital medications, and not funding pharmaceutical industry research.