Why is AstraZeneca giving away a life saving cancer drug for free? episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 30, 2026 · 55 MIN

Why is AstraZeneca giving away a life saving cancer drug for free?

from The Radio National Hour · host Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme has provided access to affordable medicines for nearly 80 years, but recently our tough talking government has met with some fierce resistance. That's partly because US President Donald Trump is insisting that American's pay the same for their drugs as other countries, like Australia which subsidises medicines. Dr Elizabeth Deveny, CEO of Consumers Health Forum of Australia and Philip Clarke, Professor in Health Economics at Melbourne School of Population and Global Health at the University of Melbourne say Australia needs to hold the line with Big Pharma but reform of the PBS is long overdue. A University degree was long considered a ticket to career success and prosperity .. but with the cost of degrees soaring and AI transforming the way students learn, academics like Dr Kylie Moore Gilbert say the experience may not be worth the money or brain rot. 

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Why is AstraZeneca giving away a life saving cancer drug for free?

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