This was published 4 years ago
Hope for ovarian cancer patients with new drug listed on PBS
By Dana McCauley
Hundreds of Australian patients with ovarian cancer are being given affordable access to a groundbreaking drug previously restricted to those who had failed conventional treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced his budget speech on Tuesday night that Lynparza, which costs more than $140,000 per course, will be available for about $41 a month for general patients and $6.60 for concession card holders.
Health Minister Greg Hunt will extend an ovarian cancer medication to more patients.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
The amended Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme listing means an additional 300 women a year will be able to access the drug.
It forms part of $376 million in spending on new and amended listings on the PBS in the federal budget, including lifesaving medicines to treat leukaemia, melanoma and Parkinson’s disease.
Almost 1500 women are diagnosed annually with ovarian cancer, which has the lowest survival rate of any women’s cancer in Australia, with only 46 per cent of those diagnosed alive after five years.
"The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme provides access to critical medicines for all Australians," Mr Frydenberg said.
He said the ovarian cancer drug listing was part of the government's commitment to "list all medicines recommended by the independent experts" - a position shared by Labor - having approved more than 2000 new and amended listings since winning government in 2013.
The budget also includes a commitment to negotiate "new strategic agreements" to secure access to cheaper generic medicines in a bid to "preserve the long term sustainability of the PBS."
Lynparza is manufactured by AstraZeneca, the British pharmaceutical company that is partnering with Oxford University to develop a COVID-19 vaccine.
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