From 1 November 2021, Australians in Bonner with a respiratory illness, early onset puberty and blood cancer will have improved access to subsidised medicines through new and amended listings on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP welcomed the November PBS listings and said many Australians and their families in our local community will be able to access these treatments, reducing their out of pocket costs.

“Our Government has always been committed to ensuring Australians can access the medicines and treatments and our track record with the PBS is reducing medical bills for families across Bonner,” Mr Vasta said.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a preventable and treatable lung disease, which causes the airways in the lungs to narrow, making it difficult to breathe.

About 1 in 20 Australians aged 45 years and over have COPD, tragically, in 2018 it was the fifth leading cause of death^.

Breztri Aerosphere^® (budesonide + glycopyrronium + formoterol) will be available from November 1, 2021 on the PBS to treat COPD. Without PBS subsidy, around 68,000 Australians per year might pay more than $1,000 per year for treatment.

Also from 1 November 2021, Diphereline^® (triptorelin) will be expanded to include the treatment of central precocious puberty (CCP).

In Australia, the average age for the onset of puberty is around 10 years for girls and 12 years for boys. In central precocious puberty, this onset occurs earlier – before 8 years of age in girls and before 9 years in boys.

Diphereline^® works by lowering the levels of the hormone oestrogen for females and testosterone in males that lead to puberty-related changes to the body. Without PBS subsidy, around 800 Australians per year might pay more than $3,600 per year for treatment.

Earlier this year, Darzalex^® (daratumumab) was listed on the PBS for the first time for use in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone, as a second-line treatment for around Australians with multiple myeloma.

Myeloma is a type of blood cancer that develops from plasma cells in the bone marrow and it is estimated that around 2,423 Australians will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2021. Darzalex® is a ground-breaking treatment mobilises the patient’s own immune system to fight the disease. This treatment will bring improved clinical outcomes and quality of life for those affected by this disease.

From 1 November 2021, these patients will now have access to a new subcutaneous form of Darzalex®, which means it can be given as an injection under the skin.

This additional treatment option for patients will provide a more convenient alternative, delivered as a 5‑minute injection that can be administered at home compared with the intravenous infusion which is given over several hours in a healthcare facility.

Without PBS subsidy, around 1,165 Australians per year might pay more than $136,000 per course of treatment with this new subcutaneous form.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said thousands of Australians and their families will benefit from these new and expanded listings.

“Since 2013, the Coalition Government had approved more than 2,700 new or amended listings on the PBS. This represents an average of around 30 listings or amendments per month – or one each day – at an overall investment by the Government of $13.9 billion,” Minister Hunt said.

“Without PBS subsidies many Australians would be thousands of dollars out of pocket, instead they’ll only pay $41.30 per script or $6.60 with a concession card for these medicines.

Also available from November 1, 2021, Verzenio® (abemaciclib) will be expanded for use in combination with fulvestrant through the PBS. A new treatment option for Australians battling advanced forms of breast cancer.

These PBS listings have been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

From 1 November 2021, Australian men with prostate cancer will have access to a new medication at an affordable price, thanks to the Morrison Government.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the announcement was a further sign that the Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid.

“Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in men in Australia and the third most common cause of cancer death,” Mr Vasta said.

“One in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer by the age of 85. It is more common in older men, with more than 63 per cent of cases diagnosed in men over 65 years of age.”

“From November 1, as we mark the start of Movember, Nubeqa^® (darolutamide) will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the first time for patients with non-metastatic castration resistant carcinoma of the prostate.”

“Without PBS subsidy, around 1,000 patients may pay more than $40,000 per year for treatment. Instead, they will pay a maximum of $41.30 per script or $6.60 with a concession card.”

Prostate cancer that is no longer stopped by low testosterone levels is known as castration resistant. Castration-resistant prostate cancer is defined by a rising prostate specific antigen level, worsening symptoms and/or growing cancer verified by scans.

This PBS listing has been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt, echoed Mr Vasta, saying medication, alongside early detection can save lives and protect lives.

“It is estimated that around 18,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in Australia this year alone,” Minister Hunt said.

“Early detection and treatment can significantly improve prostate cancer survival. I encourage men over 50 to learn the symptoms of prostate cancer and if they have any concerns, talk to their GP.”

“Since 2013, the Coalition Government had approved more than 2,700 new or amended listings on the PBS. This represents an average of around 30 listings or amendments per month – or one each day – at an overall investment by the Government of $13.9 billion.”