The Hon Greg Hunt MP
Minister for Health and Aged Care
The Morrison Government is helping more Australians access the medications they need with a new addition to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for people with progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease (PF-ILD).
PF-ILD refers to a group of lung diseases characterised by the presence of progressive pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lungs), worsening respiratory symptoms, declining lung function, and early mortality.
From 1 May 2022, the PBS listing of Ofev® (nintedanib) will be expanded to cover more types of PF-ILD.
It’s expected this change will benefit an average of 1,400 patients a year across the country helping deliver effective medication to more people who previously would have faced steep prices for access.
Without the PBS subsidy, treatment with Ofev® could cost patients more than $40,000 for every year of their treatment. With the listing, patients will pay only a maximum of $42.50 per script, or just $6.80 with a concession card.
Ofev® is currently listed on the PBS for the treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), which is one type of PF-ILD. The expanded listing will cover other types of PF-ILD where there has been a high unmet clinical need for treatments.
Patients will be able to access this treatment from their local community pharmacy after receiving a prescription from their doctor.
The expanded listing of Ofev® has been recommended by the expert Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC). Our Government remains absolutely committed to listing all medicines on the PBS that have received a positive recommendation from the PBAC.
Since 2013, the Government has approved more than 2,800 new and amended listings on the PBS. This is at an overall investment by Government of $15 billion.
The Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid.
