Drug Company Says No to Government Help for Diabetes Medicine

Apr 24, 2026, 07:46
A2

Drug Company Says No to Government Help for Diabetes Medicine

Introduction

A big drug company said no to a government plan. The plan was to help people pay for a diabetes medicine. About 450,000 people in Australia will not get this help.

Main Body

A group of experts said the medicine should get government help. The medicine is for people with Type 2 diabetes. It is a shot people take one time each week. Some people cannot control their diabetes with other medicines. The medicine costs a lot of money now. The government wanted to make it cheaper. The drug company said the government''s price was too low. The company said other countries pay more. The company also said the government''s rules were not good. The company tried four times to make a deal. The company said many other medicines did not get government help in the last five years. Another medicine for weight loss got a different recommendation. The World Health Organization said the medicine is important. The health minister did not answer questions.

Conclusion

The drug company did not accept the government''s offer. So many people with diabetes will pay full price for the medicine. It is not clear if the medicine will get help for weight loss in the future.

Vocabulary Learning

company
A business that makes or sells things.公司
Example:The drug company said no to the government plan.
help
To make something easier or better for someone.幫助
Example:The government wanted to help people pay for medicine.
medicine
Something you take or use to feel better when you are sick.藥物
Example:The medicine is a shot people take one time each week.
pay
To give money for something.支付
Example:Many people cannot pay for the medicine now.
price
The amount of money you need to buy something.價格
Example:The government wanted to make the price lower.

Sentence Learning

A big drug company said no to a government plan.
This sentence has a subject (A big drug company), a verb (said no to), and an object (a government plan). It tells us what the company did.本句包含主語（A big drug company）、動詞（said no to）以及受詞（a government plan）。它告訴我們這間公司做了什麼。
The medicine is for people with Type 2 diabetes.
This sentence uses the verb 'is' to describe the medicine. The phrase 'for people with Type 2 diabetes' tells us who the medicine helps.本句使用動詞 'is' 來描述藥物。片語 'for people with Type 2 diabetes' 告訴我們這種藥物幫助哪些人。
The drug company said the government's price was too low.
This sentence has a subject (The drug company), a verb (said), and a clause (the government's price was too low) that explains what the company said.本句包含主語（The drug company）、動詞（said）以及一個子句（the government's price was too low），這個子句解釋了公司說了什麼。
The company tried four times to make a deal.
This sentence has a subject (The company), a verb (tried), and an infinitive phrase (to make a deal) that shows the goal. 'Four times' tells us how many times.本句包含主語（The company）、動詞（tried）以及一個不定詞片語（to make a deal）來表示目標。'Four times' 告訴我們嘗試的次數。
It is not clear if the medicine will get help for weight loss in the future.
This sentence starts with 'It is not clear' to show uncertainty. The word 'if' introduces a question about the medicine's future.本句以 'It is not clear' 開頭，表示不確定性。單詞 'if' 引出一個關於這種藥物未來的問題。
B2

Eli Lilly Declines Government Subsidy for Diabetes Drug Mounjaro, Affecting 450,000 Australians

Introduction

Approximately 450,000 Australian patients with Type 2 diabetes will not receive subsidized access to the weight loss medication Mounjaro, following a decision by pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly to reject a recommendation for government funding.

Main Body

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) recommended on Friday that tirzepatide, a once-weekly injectable medication marketed as Mounjaro, be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for adult patients with inadequately controlled Type 2 diabetes. The PBAC acknowledged a clinical need for additional effective treatment options, noting that some patients do not achieve adequate glycemic control with currently subsidized therapies. The committee also observed that tirzepatide is currently available through the private market and concluded that PBS listing would improve equity of access, particularly for patients for whom cost is a barrier. Under the PBS, the government negotiates a single price with pharmaceutical companies and provides the medication for a fixed co-payment of A$25 for most patients. Eli Lilly had applied to the PBAC four times for a funding arrangement. Manny Simons, Eli Lilly’s general manager for Australia and New Zealand, stated that the government’s offered price was lower than prices agreed in other countries and included conditions the company deemed “unrealistic and unviable.” The company further indicated that strict funding caps on the proposed deal would have exposed Eli Lilly to disproportionate financial risk. Simons added that the outcome would likely impede efforts to secure PBS listing for Mounjaro for other conditions, such as obesity or obesity-related diseases. The company noted that more than 100 medications recommended for subsidies have not progressed to PBS listing in the last five years. In a separate development, the PBAC recommended in December that semaglutide (sold as Wegovy) be subsidized for patients with obesity and heart disease who have experienced a heart attack, stroke, or have symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. The World Health Organization last year included Mounjaro on its list of essential medications for Type 2 diabetes and urged governments, including Australia, to make GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs more affordable for people with obesity. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler was contacted for comment but has not yet provided a response.

Conclusion

Eli Lilly’s refusal to accept the government’s funding terms means that a large cohort of Type 2 diabetes patients will continue to pay full price for Mounjaro, and the prospect of future subsidization for obesity treatment remains uncertain.

Vocabulary Learning

cohort
A group of people who share a common characteristic or experience, especially in a study or policy context群體；一組具有共同特徵或經歷的人，尤指在研究或政策背景下
Example:Eli Lilly’s refusal means that a large cohort of Type 2 diabetes patients will continue to pay full price for Mounjaro.
disproportionate
Too large or too small in relation to something else; not balanced不成比例的；與其他事物相比過大或過小；不平衡的
Example:Strict funding caps on the proposed deal would have exposed Eli Lilly to disproportionate financial risk.
equity of access
The principle that everyone should have a fair opportunity to obtain the same services or benefits公平獲取機會；指每個人都有公平機會獲得相同服務或福利的原則
Example:The committee concluded that PBS listing would improve equity of access, particularly for patients for whom cost is a barrier.
impede
To delay or prevent something from happening or progressing阻礙；延誤或阻止某事發生或進展
Example:Simons added that the outcome would likely impede efforts to secure PBS listing for Mounjaro for other conditions.
subsidized
Having part of the cost paid by the government or an organization to make it cheaper for people獲得補貼的；由政府或機構支付部分費用以降低價格的
Example:Approximately 450,000 Australian patients with Type 2 diabetes will not receive subsidized access to the weight loss medication Mounjaro.

Sentence Learning

The PBAC acknowledged a clinical need for additional effective treatment options, noting that some patients do not achieve adequate glycemic control with currently subsidized therapies.
Present participle phrase 'noting that...' adds extra information about what the PBAC did, making the sentence more concise.現在分詞短語 'noting that...' 補充說明PBAC的行為，讓句子更簡潔。
The committee also observed that tirzepatide is currently available through the private market and concluded that PBS listing would improve equity of access, particularly for patients for whom cost is a barrier.
Relative clause 'for whom cost is a barrier' specifies which patients, using formal 'whom' after a preposition.關係從句 'for whom cost is a barrier' 明確指出是哪類病人，使用正式介詞加 whom 結構。
Manny Simons, Eli Lilly’s general manager for Australia and New Zealand, stated that the government’s offered price was lower than prices agreed in other countries and included conditions the company deemed “unrealistic and unviable.”
Passive voice 'was lower than prices agreed' (past participle 'agreed' modifies 'prices') and a reduced relative clause 'the company deemed...' make the statement formal and compact.被動語態 'was lower than prices agreed'（過去分詞 agreed 修飾 prices）和省略關係代詞的從句 'the company deemed...' 使陳述正式且緊湊。
The company further indicated that strict funding caps on the proposed deal would have exposed Eli Lilly to disproportionate financial risk.
Third conditional 'would have exposed' shows a hypothetical past result, clearly linking the caps to potential risk.第三條件句 'would have exposed' 表示對過去情況的假設結果，清楚連結上限與潛在風險。
Eli Lilly’s refusal to accept the government’s funding terms means that a large cohort of Type 2 diabetes patients will continue to pay full price for Mounjaro, and the prospect of future subsidization for obesity treatment remains uncertain.
Linking word 'and' joins two related consequences; the first clause uses 'means that' to introduce a result, while the second uses 'remains uncertain' to show ongoing state.連接詞 'and' 連接兩個相關結果；第一個子句用 'means that' 引入結果，第二個子句用 'remains uncertain' 表示持續狀態。
C2

Eli Lilly Declines Government Subsidy for Diabetes Drug Mounjaro, Affecting 450,000 Australians

Introduction

Approximately 450,000 Australian patients with Type 2 diabetes will not receive subsidized access to the weight loss medication Mounjaro, following a decision by pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly to reject a recommendation for government funding.

Main Body

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) recommended on Friday that tirzepatide, a once-weekly injectable medication marketed as Mounjaro, be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for adult patients with inadequately controlled Type 2 diabetes. The PBAC acknowledged a clinical need for additional effective treatment options, noting that some patients do not achieve adequate glycemic control with currently subsidized therapies. The committee also observed that tirzepatide is currently available through the private market and concluded that PBS listing would improve equity of access, particularly for patients for whom cost is a barrier. Under the PBS, the government negotiates a single price with pharmaceutical companies and provides the medication for a fixed co-payment of A$25 for most patients. Eli Lilly had applied to the PBAC four times for a funding arrangement. Manny Simons, Eli Lilly’s general manager for Australia and New Zealand, stated that the government’s offered price was lower than prices agreed in other countries and included conditions the company deemed “unrealistic and unviable.” The company further indicated that strict funding caps on the proposed deal would have exposed Eli Lilly to disproportionate financial risk. Simons added that the outcome would likely impede efforts to secure PBS listing for Mounjaro for other conditions, such as obesity or obesity-related diseases. The company noted that more than 100 medications recommended for subsidies have not progressed to PBS listing in the last five years. In a separate development, the PBAC recommended in December that semaglutide (sold as Wegovy) be subsidized for patients with obesity and heart disease who have experienced a heart attack, stroke, or have symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. The World Health Organization last year included Mounjaro on its list of essential medications for Type 2 diabetes and urged governments, including Australia, to make GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs more affordable for people with obesity. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler was contacted for comment but has not yet provided a response.

Conclusion

Eli Lilly’s refusal to accept the government’s funding terms means that a large cohort of Type 2 diabetes patients will continue to pay full price for Mounjaro, and the prospect of future subsidization for obesity treatment remains uncertain.

Vocabulary Learning

cohort
A group of individuals sharing a particular demographic characteristic or experiencing the same event within a defined time period, often used in clinical or policy contexts.群組，指在特定時間內共享某種人口特徵或經歷相同事件的個體群體，常用於臨床或政策語境。
Example:Eli Lilly’s refusal to accept the government’s funding terms means that a large cohort of Type 2 diabetes patients will continue to pay full price for Mounjaro.
disproportionate financial risk
A risk that is excessively large or unbalanced relative to the potential benefit, exposure, or market conditions.不成比例的財務風險，指相對於潛在收益、風險敞口或市場條件而言過大或不平衡的風險。
Example:The company indicated that strict funding caps on the proposed deal would have exposed Eli Lilly to disproportionate financial risk.
equity of access
The principle of ensuring fair and just distribution of resources or services, removing barriers based on cost or socioeconomic status.公平可及性，指確保資源或服務分配公平公正，消除因費用或社會經濟地位造成的障礙。
Example:The committee concluded that PBS listing would improve equity of access, particularly for patients for whom cost is a barrier.
glycemic control
The regulation of blood glucose levels within a target range, especially in the management of diabetes.血糖控制，指將血糖水平維持在目標範圍內的調節過程，尤其用於糖尿病管理。
Example:The committee noted that some patients do not achieve adequate glycemic control with currently subsidized therapies.
impede efforts
To hinder, obstruct, or delay progress toward a specific goal or initiative.阻礙努力，指妨礙、阻撓或延遲達成特定目標或計劃的進展。
Example:Simons added that the outcome would likely impede efforts to secure PBS listing for Mounjaro for other conditions, such as obesity.

Sentence Learning

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) recommended on Friday that tirzepatide, a once-weekly injectable medication marketed as Mounjaro, be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for adult patients with inadequately controlled Type 2 diabetes.
This sentence features a subjunctive mood in the that-clause ('that tirzepatide... be listed'), where the verb 'be' is in the base form, a hallmark of formal recommendation structures. It also contains a non-restrictive appositive ('a once-weekly injectable medication marketed as Mounjaro') that provides parenthetical elaboration, and a post-modifying prepositional phrase ('with inadequately controlled Type 2 diabetes') that adds specificity. 主句為 'The PBAC recommended... that... be listed'，其中 'that' 引導的從句使用虛擬語氣（be listed），表示建議；同位語 'a once-weekly injectable medication...' 補充說明 tirzepatide；介詞短語 'with inadequately controlled Type 2 diabetes' 修飾 patients，體現高密度信息承載。
The committee also observed that tirzepatide is currently available through the private market and concluded that PBS listing would improve equity of access, particularly for patients for whom cost is a barrier.
This sentence employs a complex parallel structure with two coordinated that-clauses ('observed that...' and 'concluded that...'), each containing its own subordinate content. The second clause features a relative clause with a prepositional fronting ('for whom cost is a barrier'), which is a formal and sophisticated alternative to 'who cost is a barrier for'. The adverb 'particularly' adds a focusing nuance. 主句 'The committee also observed... and concluded...' 連接兩個 that 引導的賓語從句；第二個從句內含 'for whom' 引導的定語從句，屬於介詞前置的正式結構，修飾 'patients'，體現句法複雜性。
Manny Simons, Eli Lilly’s general manager for Australia and New Zealand, stated that the government’s offered price was lower than prices agreed in other countries and included conditions the company deemed “unrealistic and unviable.”
This sentence contains a reduced relative clause ('prices agreed in other countries'), where 'that were' is ellipted, compressing information. It also features a nested relative clause ('conditions the company deemed...') without a relative pronoun, which is a hallmark of advanced ellipsis. The use of quoted adjectives ('unrealistic and unviable') adds rhetorical emphasis. 主句 'Manny Simons... stated that...'；第一個 that 從句內含 'agreed in other countries' 為省略關係代詞的被動分詞短語，修飾 'prices'；第二個 that 從句內含 'the company deemed...' 為省略 that 的定語從句，修飾 'conditions'，體現省略與壓縮結構。
The company further indicated that strict funding caps on the proposed deal would have exposed Eli Lilly to disproportionate financial risk.
This sentence uses the third conditional structure ('would have exposed') to express a hypothetical past outcome that did not occur, indicating a counterfactual scenario. The noun phrase 'strict funding caps on the proposed deal' is lexically dense, with multiple pre-modifiers ('strict', 'funding') and a post-modifier ('on the proposed deal'). 'Disproportionate financial risk' employs a nuanced adjective to convey imbalance. 主句 'The company further indicated that...'；that 從句使用 'would have exposed' 表達與過去事實相反的假設（第三條件句），主語 'strict funding caps' 帶有前置形容詞 'strict' 和後置介詞短語 'on the proposed deal'，詞彙密度高。
The World Health Organization last year included Mounjaro on its list of essential medications for Type 2 diabetes and urged governments, including Australia, to make GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs more affordable for people with obesity.
This sentence features a parallel verb structure ('included... and urged...') with a complex object complement in the second part: 'urged governments... to make... drugs more affordable'. The phrase 'including Australia' is a parenthetical insertion that adds specificity without disrupting flow. The infinitive phrase 'to make GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs more affordable' contains a causative structure ('make + object + adjective complement'), which is a sophisticated syntactic pattern. 主句 'The World Health Organization... included... and urged...' 並列兩個動詞；第二個動詞 'urged' 後接賓語 'governments' 及插入語 'including Australia'，再接不定式短語 'to make... more affordable'，其中 'make' 為使役動詞，後接形容詞補足語 'more affordable'，體現高階句法。