Olaparib and anifrolumab added to PBS

Some breast cancer sufferers could save more than $60,000 after olaparib (sold as Lynparza) was expanded for use and added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
 
The drug can be used for patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-negative) high-risk early breast cancer with specific gene mutations, which makes up around two thirds of all diagnoses.
 
The medication costs around $69,000 per course of treatment but will drop to $31.60 per script thanks to the subsidy and is expected to benefit around 300 patients.
 
The combination medicine daunorubicin with cytarabine (sold as Vyxeos) has also been added to the scheme to treat two high-risk forms of newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
 
Around 5200 patients are diagnosed with a form of leukaemia each year, and for those with AML, it previously cost around $189,000 per course of treatment.
 
Anifrolumab (sold as Saphnelo) has also been listed for the first time for those with the severe systemic form of lupus erythematosus (SLE) in patients with high disease activity despite standard treatment.
 
Its addition to the PBS is expected to benefit 1400 patients each year and save almost $20,000 per treatment.
 
Finally, melatonin (sold as Slenyto) has been added to the scheme for children and adolescents with insomnia associated with Smith-Magenis syndrome.
 
Currently, around 460 patients are paying $1800 per year of treatment for the medication.
 
Federal Health and Aged Care Assistant Minister Ged Kearney said cheaper medicines are part of the Federal Government’s Strengthening Medicare reforms.
 
‘By listing these medicines on the PBS, some for the first time, we’re giving patients and their doctors new options for treatment at an affordable price – with benefits to both people’s health and hip pockets,’ she said.
 
Now the medications are on the PBS, eligible patients will pay a maximum of $31.60 per script, or $7.70 with a concession card, for their treatment.
 
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breast cancer insomnia leukaemia lupus PBS Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme