The World Health Organization considers access barriers to medicines contributes to health disparities. Therefore, equitable access to medicines is a public health priority. The Australian National Medicines Policy (NMP) and Quality Use of Medicine Principles aim for “All Australians have fair, timely, reliable and affordable access to … medicines and medicines services.”
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, particularly those from remote locations have a significant gap in life expectancy and increased co-morbidities opposed to non-indigenous Australians. Beginning in 1999, under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme the Australian Government developed a number of medicines access programs to remove cost as a barrier for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Whilst the intent of the programs has been to improve access, the complexity of unaligned program rules has introduced new barriers; in stark contrast to the aims of the NMP.
An audit across the Northern Territory highlighted disproportionate barriers faced by remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Much advocacy work has been undertaken to improve medicine access for Australians, in particular, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Whilst improvements have occurred, further reforms are required to ensure a more patient-centric approach to improve health outcomes and reduce the health system burden.