Government slashes prices of cancer, arthritis medications

Patients in need of life-altering cancer and arthritis medications have been handed a lifeline today, after the government announced it was adding a new round of drugs to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

The Turnbull Government will subsidise the costs for 11 medicines used to treat cancer, arthritis, diabetes, asthma and eye disease. Patients are expected to save hundreds, and in many cases thousands of dollars, paying a maximum of $39.50 per script with concessional patients and just $6.40 for pensioners.

Potentially life-saving cancer medications pralatrexate, Atezolizumab and sonidegib, used to treat T-Cell lymphoma, metastatic non-small cell lung cancer and basal cell carcinoma respectively, are all on the list, with more than 3,000 patients expected to benefit.

According to Cancer Council Australia, there are 410, 530 people in Australia living with cancer. The newly reduced cost for the medications is expected to save lives and relieve financial pressure on patients and families. 

Arthritis patients have also been dealt welcome news. Methotrexate, brand name Trexject, will also be available to treat rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Without PBS listing, an average of 2,300 patients would pay around $1,093 annually for the medication. 

The government is also tackling one of the country’s fastest-growing diseases: diabetes. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt called the condition “one of the biggest challenges” facing the health system, with about 280 people developing diabetes every day. 

The PBS will now include a longer-lasting, high-strength insulin known as glargine, which helps diabetics manage treatment and cut nighttime hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).

“This new treatment option will be available to over 178,000 Australians each year,” Hunt said.  “Without subsidised access, patients would pay around $1,820 each year.”

The type 2 diabetes oral medicines Forziga, Xigduo and Qtern will also be added to the PBS. 

Other medicines listed include treatments for asthma and eye disease. 

The new listings have been embraced by the medical community. Australia Medical Association (AMA) President Dr Michael Gannon told the Today show that affordable medications are always good news. 

“It’s a part of the Australian system which bears up very well to international comparison, the ability of the Government in Australia to buy medicines on behalf of 24 million people, evidence-based medicines that only get scheduled once they’ve been proven to work, and then become very affordable being something like $39 a script for most Australians and as little as $6 or $7 for those on Health Care Cards,” he said.  

Will these changes help you? Are you affected by any of these conditions? 

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