Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan has announced that thousands of Australians living with breast cancer, lung cancer, osteoporosis and asthma will benefit from new and amended medicines listings on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
From 1 April, Kisqali® (ribociclib) is having its listing expanded on the PBS to be used in combination with Fulvestrant Sandoz® (fulvestrant) for patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-) unresectable advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
Without the PBS subsidy, patients might pay more than $50,000 per course of treatment. Instead they will now pay $41.30 per script or $6.60 with a concession card.
Fulvestrant Sandoz® (fulvestrant) is also being made available on the PBS for the first time as monotherapy for those women in need of this targeted treatment on its own, for the treatment of hormone receptor positive (HR+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-) advanced breast cancer.
Without the PBS subsidy, patients might pay more than $7,900 per course of treatment.
To support Australians with previously untreated squamous Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer, we are extending the listings for Opdivo® (nivolumab) and Yervoy® (ipilimumab) plus chemotherapy. Patients could otherwise pay over $100,000 per course of treatment without subsidy.
We are extending the listing for Dupixent® (dupilumab) which will provide a new treatment option to Australians suffering from uncontrolled severe eosinophilic or allergic asthma. Australians with these severe forms of Asthma will save around $20,600 per year through this PBS listing.
Atectura Breezhaler® (indacaterol + glycopyronum + mometasone), will provide a new treatment option for other severe forms of asthma for over 80,000 Australians suffering from this chronic disease with patients saving around $400 per year through this PBS listing.
We are also listing Evenity® (Romosozumab) on the PBS for the first time, for the treatment of severe osteoporosis in patients. Patients may save around $6,300 per course of treatment.
Each of these listings has been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.
Since 2013, the Federal Government has approved over 2,600 new or amended listings on the PBS. This represents an average of around 30 listings or amendments per month – or one each day – at an overall investment by the Government of $13 billion.
