Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Xenophon. I will take part of the issue that you have raised on notice. I can add that under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme consumers can ask their doctors to prescribe a generic medication, and their pharmacist may be able to supply a less expensive brand. That is about always ensuring that all brands of the same medicine have the same active ingredients and have been tested by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Usually the only difference between one brand and another is the packaging, size and type. It is about ensuring that there are less expensive medicines available to ensure that groups who cannot afford it or who want the additional option can choose to balance their budget by choosing the less expensive, generic medications. The government is aware— (Time expired)