‘There’s a medicine out there that could prevent my breast cancer returning — but I can’t access it.’

Maria, from Brisbane, was 39 years old when she first received her breast cancer diagnosis.

Like many women who make this discovery, it began when she noticed a lump under her arm in the shower. When she went to the doctor for a checkup, a biopsy confirmed her worst fears: she had been diagnosed with stage 2B cancer.

Two weeks later, she underwent a double mastectomy. After a few more months of chemotherapy, she will need to undergo hormone therapy for her recovery.

While Maria was fortunate enough to treat the cancer before it spread elsewhere in her body, she is at a high risk of recurrence and is worried her battle might not be over.

Through her own research, Maria learned of a treatment available overseas with promising results for her type of cancer-but it is not yet available in Australia.

One particular medicine, already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has shown a great success rate with early-stage, high-risk patients like Maria.

However, Australia is yet to list the drug on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), meaning Maria and others who have lived through her struggles could wait as long as 466 days for it to become available and affordable through the PBS.

“You’re thrown into this world and suddenly you really have to advocate for yourself. I shouldn’t have to do that, and sometimes that’s really hard.” – Maria.

 Australia’s PBS urgently needs reform

Maria is not alone in her experience with the PBS. Many Australians have struggled to access life-changing medicines in a timely manner.

That is because our system to evaluate and fund new medicines has not been comprehensively reviewed in 30 years. Australia’s system is not keeping pace with the speed of modern medical innovation. This means longer review times, resulting in a delay in access to innovative treatments with the potential to improve quality of life.

Once the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) deems that a medicine is safe and effective, it can take an average of 466 days for it to become available on the PBS. By comparison, Switzerland takes as little as 60 days, and England and Japan only 90 days.

Overall, Australia lags at 100 days slower than the OECD average.

These delays could mean the difference between a close call or missing out on a potentially life-saving treatment.

“For my daughter, I hope she never has to fight for a medication that’s going to give her more time.” – Maria.

How can you help bring about a stronger PBS?

The first step is free and simple: click here to pledge your support for a stronger PBS.

The #StrongerPBS campaign aims to cut wait times from 466 to 60 days once a new medicine is deemed safe and effective by the TGA. By adding your name, you’ll join the thousands of Australians asking the Government to reform the system for:

• Faster access to the right medicines.
• Reduced wait times and less strain on hospitals.
• Better health outcomes over time.

More ways you can help:

• Spread awareness on social media using the #StrongerPBS hashtag.
• Ensure your friends, family, and anyone directly affected by PBS limitations are aware of the campaign and its importance.
• Ask your pharmacist or GP about the campaign on your next visit.
• Have you been personally affected by a lack of timely access to medicines? Share your experience with Medicines Australia by emailing: [email protected]

“I hope that people don’t even die from breast cancer in [my daughter’s] lifetime” — Maria.