New Year brings New PBS listings

The first day of the new year brought with it new hope for Australians fighting one of the most common blood cancers, thanks to a critical new medicine listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).On 1st January 2021, Darzalex® (daratumumab) was listed for the first time in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone, as a second-line…

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Vale Doug Anthony

I am very sad to hear of the passing of Doug Anthony today.   I always felt I was in the presence of a legend when I was with Doug.   He was always easy with a warm smile and interest in how you were going.   The Nationals are 100 years old this year…

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PBS support for Australians living with leukaemia

Patients living with one of Australia’s most common forms of leukaemia are set to benefit from expanded access to a breakthrough medicine through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).   From 1 December, access to Venclexta® (venetoclax) will be extended in combination with obinutuzumab for the first-line treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia who have…

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Life-saving SMA medicine to be made available to Australian babies

Access to a life-saving and life-changing medicine will soon be expanded for Australian children and infants with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).   From 1 December, subsidised access to the life-changing medicine Spinraza® (nusinersen) will be expanded on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). It will include children and infants genetically diagnosed with the most severe types…

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Bungabbee Bridge funding boost

Bungabbee Road at Bentley is an important access route for local farming families. Due to the extremely poor condition of the single-lane timber bridge, a load limit of 2 tonnes has been placed on the bridge.   Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan has announced $300,000 to fix the bridge, with Lismore City Council and…

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