Australia allows drugs on the market if they pass the TGA (our FDA) approval process. Our PBS, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, which subsidizes drugs, is s

Australia allows drugs on the market if they pass the TGA (our FDA) approval process. Our PBS, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, which subsidizes drugs, is similar to the UK's NICE, which evaluates drugs to compare their price to the effectiveness in terms of QALY (Quality Adjusted Life Years) and other metrics. The PBS then negotiates with the drug manufacturer, who either meet the government's price, or don't. If they don't, then the drug is not subsidized. So it's in the manufacturer's interest to get a large purchaser to buy the drug.