Cushing’s disease: Drug added to PBS

Australians suffering from a debilitating illness have scored a huge win in a major development.

Australians suffering from the debilitating condition Cushing’s Disease have scored a huge win after a vital medication was added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

It is estimated up to 1600 Australians are living with Cushing’s Disease, with about 41 new cases of the disease diagnosed across the country each year.

Osilodrostat (Isturisa), which has been listed on the PBS, helps combat the illness and prevent patients from having to undergo irreversible surgery to remove their adrenal glands.

People with Cushing’s Disease suffer from an over-production of the stress hormone cortisol, which is often caused by a pituitary tumour or other hormone-producing tumour.

Chair of the Australian Pituitary Foundation Malini Raj said that without access to Osilodrostat, many patients would be left with no alternative but to undergo adrenalectomy.

“Making Osilodrostat more accessible and affordable through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is a welcome step but more is needed to tackle pituitary disease and disorders”, she said.

The move is a welcome development for those with Cushing’s Disease.

“At least one in 1000 Australians will develop a pituitary disease or disorder in their lifetime. These are diseases and disorders in urgent need of a common funding commitment by all sides of politics in Australia.

“We’re calling for a comprehensive pituitary healthcare funding package that guarantees

patients access to earlier diagnosis, best quality care, cheaper medications, and research into cures and better treatments.”

Chair of the Australian Pituitary Foundation Malini Raj. Picture: Supplied.

Professor Ann McCormack, past president of the Endocrine Society of Australia and a

member of the APF’s Medical Advisory Committee, said it was important to know that Cushing’s and other pituitary diseases had the potential to be as deadly as cancer and other chronic diseases.

“As an endocrinologist who sees hundreds of pituitary patients, I know how devastating pituitary disease and disorders can be and how desperately we need funding for pituitary medicine and research,” Professor McCormack said.

Professor Ann McCormack.

It came amid a major development for the oral contraceptive pill, with Yasmin and Yaz added to the PBS.

The move will slash the price paid by women by more than half.

The two contraceptives are different to other forms of the pill in that they contain a type of progesterone called drospirenone, which can reduce acne.

Women were previously charged around $79 for a three-month supply of Yaz and Yasmin, but will now be able to buy the same three-month supply for $31.60, a saving of around $190 a year.

Originally published as Cushing’s disease: Drug added to PBS