The Federal Government and Opposition have been quick to defend the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from attacks by the United States pharmaceutical industry, which has seized upon the “golden opportunity” presented by President Trump’s tariffs war to attempt to increase prices and undermine its competition.
However, the effort to undermine the integrity of the PBS is only one of the ways our health is at risk from actions by the Trump Administration.
Its non-stop attacks on human rights, science, global health, the law, regulation and the media have wide-ranging and long-lasting consequences, some predictable and others yet to be understood.
When Croakey Health Media recently asked multiple federal departments whether they had examined the risks to Australians’ health arising from the Trump Administration’s actions in a variety of areas, the responses did not inspire confidence.
Clearly, pressure will only grow for a more systematic national response as the litany of concerns continues to multiply, day by day.
What is happening in the US is beyond extraordinary – the blatant disrespect for the law, for human rights, for humanity, for our collective futures.
We cannot afford to have our national responses limited by the usual silos and narrow or partisan thinking. Our political leaders must also support open and informed public conversations, as well as civil society’s engagement in related matters, from national security to our health security and climate futures.
And the health sector must step up to grapple with the big-picture issues, as well as the specifics such as the PBS.
As well as the threats, we need also to look for opportunities. Other countries have already seized the moment to step up recruitment of US scientists and researchers.
Croakey wonders what sort of processes or structures could support and enable these open discussions – an ongoing national commission of inquiry that includes capacity for citizen’s juries?
Who could support and fund such an initiative? Philanthropists, think tanks, universities, governments?
Below is a recap of some of the latest causes for concern.
Australian science
The President of the Australian Academy of Science, Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC, issued a statement this week urging the Federal Government to give “serious and urgent attention” to concerns about US interference in Australian research.
This followed a survey sent to scientists asking them to disclose their institution’s compatibility with US foreign and domestic policy. The survey included questions on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs that the Trump Administration has been seeking to end, Reuters reported.
Jagadish said that any reasonable assessment of the survey indicates that US Government funded research in Australia could be terminated because an Australian institution – not the research project – has links with several named countries, or links with the United Nations and its agencies, or impacts the protection and promotion of specific religions, amongst other factors.
“Strategic guidance must be urgently provided to research institutions as they consider their response to the survey and as they are faced with choosing to uphold Australian law or retaining contracts with American organisations,” Jagadish said. “This requires leadership and direction from the highest level of government.”
Jagadish also urged the Australian Government to “immediately act to diversify risk by expanding the geographic footprint of Australia’s international research collaborations”.
The US is Australia’s largest research partner. In 2024 alone, US Government research funding involving Australian research organisations totalled $AUD386 million. This does not include in-kind contributions or provision of critical research infrastructure.
This is the equivalent to 43 percent of the funding the Australian Government provides in research grants via the Australian Research Council, the Academy statement said.
Twenty-five per cent of Australia’s publications in biomedical and clinical sciences involve US collaborators. Australian researchers collaborate with these organisations to develop vaccines and medical products that underpin Australia’s heath security.
The Conversation reported this week that the Group of Eight , representing Australia’s top research universities, says the US has already suspended or terminated research grants with six of its eight member universities.
Harming scientific outcomes
The Independent Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) has issued a three-page statement, ‘Why we must defend science, social science and medicine from attacks on diversity’, that highlights the importance of a diverse and inclusive science community for the quality of science.
SAGE says science thrives on innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving, and embracing diversity has the simple advantage of widening the pool of talent from which scientists are drawn. It also enriches the scientific process by fostering different ways of thinking and problem-solving.
“Research has shown that diverse teams are more innovative, produce higher-impact work, and are better at tackling complex problems,” says the statement.
“Silencing minoritised voices restricts the pool of talent, leads to knowledge gaps, and exacerbates inequalities in society.
“By fostering diverse, inclusive, and equitable research environments, science can produce more innovative solutions, improve societal outcomes, increase trust in science, and address the most pressing global challenges.
“We cannot afford to let the political and ideological motivations of the Trump administration taint and undermine robust, rigorous and inclusive science. Now is the time to stand up – loudly – for diversity, equity and inclusion in science.”
Meanwhile, health equity is under fire and in retreat, according to this report from the USC Center for Health Journalism.
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