AstraZeneca cancer drug Calquence cost tumbles with PBS listing

An AstraZeneca drug’s listing on the PBS from January 1 will see bills fall massively for people like Jen Wright.

It will be a very happy new year for some blood cancer patients such as Jen Wright with a new drug being listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from January 1, taking its cost from around $96,000 to a maximum of just $31.60.

The AstraZeneca drug Calquence will be expanded to treat patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) which are slow-growing, rare blood cancers of the bloodstream and lymph nodes and tissues, respectively. Each year in Australia, about 1000 people are diagnosed with CLL and around 300 people with SLL.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the federal government was committed to making medicines cheaper for Australians.

“The listing of Calquence will be life-changing for patients living with a rare blood cancer diagnosis and their families,” he said.

“Instead of paying over $96,000 for treatment from January 1, patients will now pay no more than $31.60.”

Ms Wright, 75, a McLaren Flat artist working with DogRidge Winery, was diagnosed with CLL 15 years ago after a routine blood test. She has taken part in a four-year trial of the drug – funded by AstraZeneca – with another two years planned.

Jen Wright is an artist and has been on a trial cancer drug for CLL. Picture: Keryn Stevens

“It has changed my life. Prior to the trial, I was pretty exhausted, but I feel like I’ve got my energy back and that I’ve dodged a bullet,” she said.

“I feel extremely lucky to be part of the trial, and it is wonderful that it is going on the PBS.”

Ben McDonald, country president of AstraZeneca Australia and New Zealand, said: “The expanded PBS listing of targeted therapy Calquence provides another treatment option for Australian patients who are living with CLL and SLL and require long term treatment.

“Through research and development, our aim is to improve diagnosis, treatment and management of blood cancers that impact 135,000 Australians each year.”

Chief executive of Lymphoma Australia Sharon Winton welcomed the expanded access to Calquence.

“It’s important for our patient community to have reimbursed access to as many treatment options as possible to address their type of blood cancer,” she said.

“CLL and SLL patients live with a chronic condition and many may need treatment for years, even decades.”

Calquence targets a protein found in cancer cells that helps them to survive and reproduce. By blocking this protein, it may help to reduce the number of cancer cells and may slow the spread of the cancer.

Originally published as AstraZeneca cancer drug Calquence cost tumbles with PBS listing