Australia's critical medicine shortages worsen as 40 drugs affected

An ABC analysis has found that 40 medications in Australia are currently in critical shortage, with over half having experienced previous shortages and 13 facing repeated critical shortages, raising concerns about the nation's medicine supply chain resilience. Key drugs repeatedly affected include Bicillin L-A for syphilis and rheumatic heart disease, and Creon for cystic fibrosis patients, with current shortages being the longest and most severe on record. Most shortages are attributed to manufacturing issues and increased demand, and many are expected to continue beyond October 2026. Australia imports 90 percent of its medicines but represents only 2 percent of the global pharmaceutical market, making it an unattractive market for suppliers. Experts are calling for a national List of Essential Medicines and increased local manufacturing capability to address the systemic vulnerabilities.