Medicine Supply Under Pressure — How Secure Is Australia’s Prescription System?

Join us as we take a closer look at Australia’s medicine supply chain at a time of growing global uncertainty, and ask a simple but important question — should Australians be concerned about access to the medicines they rely on? We’re joined by Liz de Somer, CEO of Medicines Australia, to break down how the system actually works behind the scenes, and why more than 90% of medicines used in Australia are manufactured overseas. While the system is generally stable and highly regulated, it is also deeply connected to global manufacturing and logistics networks — meaning disruptions overseas can quickly flow through to local pharmacies and hospitals. We explore what actually causes medicine shortages, how often they occur, and what happens when supply is interrupted. We also look at how government and industry respond in real time to maintain continuity, including substitution arrangements and contingency planning. It’s a clear, practical discussion about resilience, risk, and what Australians should really understand about the medicines they depend on.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.