You Won’t Believe How Much More Americans Pay for Medicine Than Brits and Aussies—The Truth Exposed!

Ever wondered why popping a simple asthma inhaler could either lighten your wallet by a fiver or slap you with a fifty-seven-pound sticker shock? Welcome to the wild, wacky world of healthcare pricing — where your zip code might just be the most influential doctor you’ll ever have. The truth? Healthcare costs aren’t merely numbers; they’re a rollercoaster ride of disparities dictated by where you’re born or the citizenship stamped on your passport. The US? Oh, it’s the diva of expense — think $1,200 for an ambulance ride without insurance (yikes!) and sky-high yearly premiums. Meanwhile, down under in Australia, a savvy doctor’s TikTok breakdown reveals prescription meds like antidepressants and antibiotics that cost a fraction of the American sticker price, thanks to programs like the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. And Scotland? Brace yourself — prescriptions there are completely free, making many Americans’ jaws hit the floor. So, why does medicine charge one price here and another there? Let’s unravel this baffling medical mystery that’s as much about money as about life itself. LEARN MORE

A doctor has compared the price of medication around the world – and the difference will shock you.

Healthcare around the world is not equal, with the amount of time you spend on a doctor’s waiting list or the cost of your treatment depending on the country you’re born in or the citizenship which you hold.

It’s widely known that the United States has one of the most expensive health care systems in the world.

On average, an American without health insurance could be expected to pay up to $1,200 (£888) for an ambulance or tens of thousands for a broken bone, depending on complexity.

Meanwhile the average cost of healthcare insurance for a single person is $8,951 (£6,630) annually (via William Russell), however this is often lower for Americans who get health insurance through work.

The price of medication varies drastically depending on the country you live in (Getty Stock Images)

How much does medication cost around the world?

According to a recent TikTok post made by Australia-based healthcare practitioner Dr. Michael Mrozinski (@drmichaelsays) comparing the cost of prescription items Down Under, in Scotland and the US.

One example which Mrozinski includes is a Salbutamol, asthma inhaler, which costs roughly £5 in Australia and £57 in America.

Meanwhile data collected by Comparethemarket suggests medication such as Fluoxetine, a common antidepressant often sold under the brand name Prozac, costs £15 in Australia but as much as £1,113 in the US.

For the antibiotic Zithromax (also sold as Azithromycin), it can cost as little as £3.82 in Australia, whereas an average in the US is around £76.

However, it’s important to note that these aren’t the prices which US patients will necessarily pay when purchasing their medication, as this can vary depending on health care providers.

Meanwhile, Australians benefit from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) which keeps medication affordable for most residents.

The includes items such as inhalers, antibiotics and antidepressants (Getty Stock Image)

The biggest shocker from Mrozinski’s video are the prices of items in Scotland, with NHS prescriptions in the devolved nation being completely free.

How much do prescriptions cost in England?

As of July 2025, purchasing an item on prescription will cost anyone living in England a blanket fee of £9.90 per prescribed item.

However children under 16, anyone aged over 60 and or anyone aged 16 to 18 in full time education.

The NHS also offers prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) for people who require multiple items every month.

These cost £114.50 for the year, meaning anyone needing 11 items or more within the space of 12 months will save money.

Like Scotland, prescriptions are also free for residents living in Wales.