Australian taxpayers are paying more for medicines due to backroom deals by one of the country’s most powerful lobby groups, it is claimed.

A report by the Grattan Institute says the Pharmacy Guild of Australia uses its powerful influence in Canberra to do pricing deals without transparency.

Despite the advent of electronic scripts and automation, the government fee for dispensing each script is higher now than it was 20 years ago.

Taxpayers are missing out on cheaper medicines due to backroom deals by one of Australia's most powerful lobby groups, according to a new report.

Australian taxpayers are paying more for medicines due to backroom deals by one of the country’s most powerful lobby groups, it is claimed.