Government to subsidise $100,000 cancer drug for ‘high-risk’ patients

It will have lifesaving implications

• In this article

• High-risk breast cancer patients are set to gain subsidised access to a life-changing drug

• How the PBS subsidy will work

• What this means for patients across Australia

A drug that can stop a potentially deadly cancer will be subsidised by the Australian government for the first time, saving sufferers $100,000.

The one in eight Australians at high risk of their breast cancer returning will soon have affordable access to a medicine that could stop that happening.

The federal government will fund Verzenio through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from May 1 for the estimated 1800 patients affected.

Previously, it was only available through the PBS to eligible patients with advanced metastatic cancer that had spread from the breast.

Mater Hospital Oncologist Fran Boyle said the new drug will help the one-third of early breast cancer patients whose cancer comes back.

“Patients with high-risk factors are three times more likely to have their cancer return than those with low-risk characteristics,” she said.

“One in eight patients with early breast cancer is classified as high risk and the more we can do early in the disease course, the better.

“We’re now able to intensify treatment during the window of opportunity after surgery when patients are treated with curative intent.”

The drug, also known as abemaciclib, will be made available to patients with a high risk of cancer reoccurrence through the PBS from May 1.

Used in combination with hormone therapy, Verzenio is a non-chemotherapy oral medicine that blocks specific proteins in cancer cells.

Previously, the drug cost $100,000 for a two-year course of the drug, a price too steep for many sufferers.

A new drug to tackle early breast cancer will be made more accessible under the PBS. Image: iStock

But from Wednesday, eligible patients will pay $7.70 (concession) or $31.60 (general patients) each month for Verzenio.

Elizabeth Nguyen was diagnosed with breast cancer at 42, but after a full course of Verzenio in July 2021 she was now cancer-free.

“It was important for me to have access to Verzenio. I knew it was the best treatment to reduce the risk of recurrence,” she said.

Ms Nguyen said her diagnosis “turned her life upside down”, but that drug, supplied by Eli Lilly, had helped her get through it.

“Knowing I had breast cancer was a huge shock for me and my family. My children were only 6 and 8 when I was diagnosed,” she said.

“One of the hardest things I had to do was to explain my condition and treatment to them in a way that was appropriate and reassuring.

Verzenio is a non-chemotherapy oral medicine that blocks specific proteins in cancer cells. Image: Pexels

“It is so important for women with high-risk early breast cancer to have access to treatments like Verzenio.

“After a difficult couple of years, I am cancer-free and feeling very positive and hopeful.”

Medical company Eli Lilly said the drug will be reimbursed for about 1800 people with the most common high-risk early-stage cancer.

It comes after an international clinical trial involving more than 200 Australian patients and doctors, including Professor Boyle.

Eli Lilly Australian general manager Tori Brown commended the government for “recognised the value in subsidised access”.

“We are delighted to achieve reimbursement after working relentlessly over 650 days since registration by the TGA,” she said.