Why Are Some Medicines Subsidised and Others Not?

When you’re advocating for yourself or others, understanding the processes behind our healthcare system can help you ask better questions.Jo Watson, Deputy Chair of PBAC (Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee), unpacks the acronyms and systems that shape how medicines are subsidised in Australia.This is an episode for patients, advocates, patient organisations, clinicians and industry professionals who want to better understand how these decisions are made.Jo explains the role of PBAC, who’s on the committee and what it considers when making decisions, including advice about eligibility criteria. And why drug approval, subsidy and access are not always the same thing. She also outlines where consumers sit in the process, and how patients and patient organisations are consulted.Note: This conversation was recorded earlier in 2026, and references to global pricing and tariffs should be heard in that context.Connect with Luan:Sign up for Luan's personal newsletterEmail LuanFollow Luan on InstagramConnect with Luan on LinkedInVisit Luan's websiteGuests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.Please read more in this DisclaimerCREDITS:Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.