Leukaemia, advanced kidney cancer, bladder cancer and liver cancer drugs added to PBS

Eligible patients with leukaemia, advanced kidney cancer, bladder cancer and liver cancer will be able to access the new treatments from March.

Four new cancer medicines will soon be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

As part of a $200 million investment by the Federal Government, eligible patients with leukaemia, advanced kidney cancer, bladder cancer and liver cancer will be able to access the new treatments from March.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison told the Sunday Mail it would result in anti-cancer drugs such as Ventoclax, which used to cost more than $7000, costing $40 a script.

Minister for Health Greg Hunt. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

“We’re investing record amounts of funding in new medicines so sick Australians get better and save thousands of dollars,” he said.

Other drugs that will be listed include Nivolumab, Ipilimumab, Pembrolizumab and Lenvatinib, to help people with types of kidney, bladder and liver cancer.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt, who will announce the decision today, said it came after the medicines were recommended to be added to the scheme by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

“We all know someone who has been touched by cancer. This insidious disease impacts millions of Australian families,” Mr Hunt said. “These new PBS listings will bring hope, protect lives and save families hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

News of cheaper drugs for cancer patients is welcome news for Fulham Gardens father-of-two James Scott.

After a CT scan found he had a massive tumour wrapped around his kidney and stage-four cancer, the 67-year-old was a participant in a medical trial of pioneering drugs Opdivo and Yervoy.

It involved 22 treatments over 18 months, costing $25,000, and Mr Scott said others should be able to get its benefits.

“I feel very lucky now,” he said. “I felt cheated when you work your whole life and want to enjoy retirement and then are told ‘forget that bucket list’.

“If I had to pay for this, I wouldn’t have it. There is no way whatsoever I would take the risk and spend every cent I had … and then leave my wife penniless.”