Fury as Australia appoints former industry lobbyist to drugs watchdog

The federal government in Australia is being widely condemned at home and abroad for its shake-up of its pharmaceutical advisory board and the controversial appointment of a former drug industry lobbyist.

The federal health minister, Michael Wooldridge, has come under fire for his elevation of drug company executive Pat Clear to the government's Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

The 12 member committee recommends which drugs qualify for subsidies under the nation's £1.5bn (US$2.25bn) pharmaceutical benefits scheme and has recently seen the government legislate to remove several senior members.

Half …