The Australian Federal government has a Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and U.S. pharmaceutical companies have been trying to undermine it for years.<p>Sadly for these companies, and fortunate for the vast majority of Australians, it is so popular and successful that any attempt to undermine it puts the government at risk of being turfed out in the next general election.<p>The Abbott government tried to force through a hair-brained GP co-payment and it was so unpopular that even when it was scrapped they eventually had to replace the Treasurer and Prime Minister for fear of being routed in the next general election.