New PBS Listings - Dec 2019

Health Minister Greg Hunt has highlighted new medicines listed on the PBS as of December 1.

Australians living with psoriasis, severe asthma and urea cycle disorder will enjoy financial relief as breakthrough medicines are added and expanded on the PBS, the Minister says. 

“Patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis will have access to the new psoriasis drug Skyrizi (risankizumab),” he said.

“Without the subsidy, around 9,300 patients would pay up to $32,000 a year for treatment. With the Government’s investment, they will now only pay a maximum of $40.30 per script, with concessional people paying just $6.50.

“More patients with severe eosinophilic asthma will have access to the currently listed asthma medicines Fasenra (benralizumab) and Nucala (mepolizumab), after the access criteria was expanded.

“As a result, an additional 1,000 patients each year will have access to these medicines, saving them up to $23,000 per year.”

The Minister noted that in 2017–18, around 2.7 million Australians, or 11.2% of the population, had asthma.

Also, around 125 Australians with urea cycle disorder are set to save up to $19,000 a year, following the new listing of Pheburane (sodium phenylbutyrate).

This genetic disorder leads to the accumulation of nitrogen in the blood, resulting in elevated blood ammonia levels.

Each of these listings has been recommended by the PBAC, which since 2013, has approved more than 2,200 new or amended listings on the PBS.

“This represents an average of around 30 listings or amendments per month – or one each day – at an overall investment by the Government of $10.7 billion,” the Minister said.

“The Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid.”

Source: ajp.com.au/news/new-listings-6/?utm_source=AJP+Daily&utm_campaign=cbdb0d6efa-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_12_02_06_31&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_cce9c58212-cbdb0d6efa-109985429, viewed 3 Dec 2019