Drug companies won't deny Australia is being 'ripped off' on medicines

By Heath Aston, Political Correspondent
Updated July 2 2015 - 9:08am, first published July 1 2015 - 3:51pm
Senator Sean Edwards: "Starting to look like something that's being fabricated." Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Senator Sean Edwards: "Starting to look like something that's being fabricated." Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Representatives of pharmaceutical companies would need to "lift their game" to explain transfer pricing, senators were told. Photo: Louie Douvis
Representatives of pharmaceutical companies would need to "lift their game" to explain transfer pricing, senators were told. Photo: Louie Douvis
Senator Sean Edwards on Wednesday: "Starting to look like something that's being fabricated." Photo: Daniel Munoz
Senator Sean Edwards on Wednesday: "Starting to look like something that's being fabricated." Photo: Daniel Munoz
Pfizer Australia chairman David Gallagher:  Photo: Daniel Munoz
Pfizer Australia chairman David Gallagher: Photo: Daniel Munoz
Labor senator Sam Dastyari at the inquiry on Wednesday. Photo: Daniel Munoz
Labor senator Sam Dastyari at the inquiry on Wednesday. Photo: Daniel Munoz

Multinational pharmaceutical companies are unable to assure Australians they are not being "ripped off" on the price of medicines as a result of their complex global supply chains.