From 1 December 2023, Australians with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), biliary tract cancer (BTC), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and Crohn’s disease (CD) will now have access to new treatment options through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Pembrolizumab (Keytruda®) will be expanded on the PBS to treat patients who have been diagnosed with early stage triple negative breast cancer (eTNBC).
Around 15 per cent of early stage breast cancers are triple negative, meaning the cancer cells do not have the three most common receptors: oestrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. eTNBC is an aggressive form of cancer that can spread more easily and occurs more often in younger women under 50 years of age.
Keytruda is an immunotherapy which works with the body’s immune system to help detect and fight cancer cells.
This listing is expected to benefit around 1,400 patients per year. Without subsidy, patients may pay more than $130,000 per course of treatment.
Durvalumab (Imfinzi®) will be expanded on the PBS to treat patients with extensive stage SCLC and advanced BTC.
SCLC accounts for around 15 per cent of all lung cancer in Australia. SCLC grows quickly and often spreads to other parts of the body before it is detected.
About 210 people each year are expected to benefit from this listing. Without the PBS subsidy they might pay around $117,500 per course of treatment.
BTC is a rare and aggressive form of cancer found in the bile ducts which connect the liver, gallbladder and small intestine.
Around 700 Australians each year are expected to benefit from this listing. Without the PBS subsidy they might pay around $122,000 per course of treatment.
Tofacitinib (Xeljanz®) will be expanded on the PBS for the treatment of severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), providing a new oral treatment option for these patients.
JIA is a chronic and painful inflammatory arthritis which presents in children before the age of 16 and lasts a minimum of six weeks. Xeljanz works to help reduce inflammation and joint damage.
In 2022, more than 1,100 Australians accessed a comparable medicine through the PBS. Without the PBS subsidy, patients and their families might pay more than $15,800 per year of treatment.
Upadacitinib (Rinvoq®) will be expanded on the PBS to treat patients with Crohn’s disease, one of two major types of inflammatory bowel disease.
More than 100,000 Australians are living with inflammatory bowel disease, one of the highest rates in the world. Although there is no cure for CD, there are treatments available to help control the inflammation.
In 2022, around 5,800 patients accessed a comparable treatment through the PBS. Without the PBS subsidy, patients and their families might pay around $16,500 per year for treatment.
Since 1 July 2022, additional funding for 151 new and amended listings on the PBS has been approved.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“The Albanese Government is improving the lives of people living with chronic diseases.
“These PBS listings will ensure more Australians are able to access vital treatment options.
“The Government is committed to making medicines cheaper for every Australian regardless of their income.”
