A doctor has compared the price of medication around the world – and the difference will shock you.
In a small town in Scotland, Julia Cameron walked out of her local pharmacy with her prescribed asthma inhaler, having paid nothing for it. “It’s so surreal to think about how much my friends in America are paying for the same thing,” she said, shaking her head. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, an American without health insurance might find themselves paying as much as $57 for the same inhaler, a stark reminder of the dissonance in global healthcare.
How much does medication cost around the world?
According to a viral TikTok post by Dr. Michael Mrozinski, an Australian healthcare practitioner, the shocking disparities in medication prices reflect a much larger inequality in global healthcare. “Pharmaceutical costs are emblematic of the systemic flaws within healthcare systems worldwide,” Dr. Mrozinski stated in an interview. “The financial burden should not dictate a person’s access to necessary medications.” In his comparison, Dr. Mrozinski focuses on three nations: Australia, Scotland, and the United States.
For example, consider Salbutamol, an asthma inhaler that costs approximately £5 in Australia but skyrockets to £57 in the United States. Similarly, Fluoxetine, a common antidepressant sold as Prozac, runs about £15 in Australia yet reaches an eye-watering £1,113 in the U.S. And for the antibiotic Zithromax, which may be found for just £3.82 in Australia, Americans could expect to pay around £76.
Public versus Private Healthcare Models
One major difference lies in the healthcare model adopted by each country. Australians benefit from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which allows citizens to access medications at significantly reduced costs, making essential healthcare more affordable. “The PBS is a cornerstone of our public healthcare system, and it reflects a commitment to ensuring that all citizens have access to what they need without going bankrupt,” explains Dr. Sarah Rowan, a public health researcher.
- The average cost of an ambulance in the U.S.: $1,200 (£888)
- Annual healthcare insurance for a single person in the U.S.: $8,951 (£6,630)
- Alternative pricing in Australia for the same services can be substantially lower due to public healthcare provisions.
Prescription Costs: A Closer Look
In Scotland, the NHS takes a markedly different approach, offering free prescriptions. “The idea that essential medications should be accessible to everyone is fundamental to our healthcare philosophy,” said Dr. Anne Macleod, a physician in Glasgow. This principle stands in contrast to England, where as of July 2025, individuals must pay a standard fee of £9.90 per prescribed item, with various exemptions in place for children and seniors.
Barriers to Access
Such financial barriers often lead to devastating choices. A recent study published in the Journal of Global Health indicates that nearly 30% of Americans have either delayed or entirely avoided filling a prescription due to cost concerns. “This phenomenon is alarming,” stated Dr. Neela Patel, lead researcher on the study. “Access to medication should not be seen as a privilege but a human right.”
A Comparison of Systems
While the differences in medication pricing can be shocking, understanding the systems behind these costs offers vital insights:
- In the U.S., pharmaceutical companies operate in a largely unregulated market, leading to higher prices.
- Public healthcare systems in countries like Scotland and Australia prioritize patient welfare, often providing medications at reduced costs.
- Insurance systems, particularly in the U.S., can complicate drug pricing further, as out-of-pocket costs vary widely depending on narrow networks of providers.
As healthcare pricing discrepancies create rifts in accessibility, nations must evaluate their models. What inspires Julia in Scotland is a sense of security and assurance that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Reflecting on her own well-being, she said, “It’s just heartbreaking to know others can’t afford the same access to care.” Meanwhile, as Dr. Mrozinski illustrated in his video, the complexity of healthcare pricing leaves many in the U.S. grappling with avoidable hardships as they navigate a system that often prioritizes profit over patient care.
Source: www.ladbible.com