New treatment for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to be listed on the PBS

Trelegy, a triple-combination inhaler – with fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium and vilanterol inhalation powder – will be available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 June, providing people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) access to a drug that will ‘significantly improve their lung capacity’.
 
‘This new medicine will give hundreds of thousands of Australian patients a new lease on life. It will make things they do every day, like play with their grandchildren, so much easier,’ Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said.
 
‘Instead of paying $1200 per year, the listing will now mean patients will pay a maximum of $39.50 per script, or just $6.40 per script for concessional patients, including older Australians, who make up the bulk of the patient group.’
 
COPD is a long-term chronic inflammatory lung disease that predominantly affects middle-aged and older people. It causes shortness of breath, coughing and excess mucus production.
 
The prevalence of COPD increases with age and one in every 13 Australians older than 40 will develop the disease ‘to point where it affects their daily life’.
 
‘The condition is the second most common cause of avoidable hospital admissions in Australia. It is also a leading cause of death and disease burden after heart disease, stroke and cancer,’ Minister Hunt said.
 
‘[The new medicine] … improves quality of life, boosts lung capacity and reduces the number of severe attacks of breathlessness.’

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