New Cancer, HIV and Other Drugs Listed on the PBS

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PDF printable version of New Cancer, HIV and Other Drugs Listed on the PBS (PDF 32 KB)

1 December 2011

Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon explained that the changes include the listing of denosumab (Xgeva ®), which will help about 4,000 people with breast or prostate cancer-related bone metastases who also have severe kidney function problems, or who undergo dialysis treatment.

Between 65 and 75 per cent of patients with advanced breast or prostate cancer develop bone metastases, which involve the spread of cancer cells.

Complications of bone metastases include severe pain, fractures and spinal cord compression — which all have the potential to significantly reduce a patient’s quality of life and independence.

In addition, Darunavir 400g (Prezista ®) will be made available for people with HIV from today. Through this new listing on World AIDS Day, patients will now have the option of taking the drug once a day, instead of twice a day—an important step to help reduce the compliance burden for about 750 Australians with HIV.

“Delivering a sustainable PBS that provides Australians with access to affordable medicines is a priority for the Gillard Government,” Minister Roxon said.

“It’s fitting that today, on World AIDS Day, a new HIV drug is available on PBS that can help to make it easier for Australians with HIV to manage their drug regime.

“The addition of denosumab on the PBS will also provide much needed relief to Australians suffering advanced cancers—again, another great addition.”

In all over 40 changes to the PBS come into effect from 1 December, these include;

• Asenapine, (Saphris®) listed for two indications. Firstly, for treatment of an episode of acute mania or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder. Secondly for treatment of schizophrenia.
• Dalteparin Sodium (anti-Xa®) for the management of symptomatic venous thromboembolism.
• Indacaterol, (Onbrez®) for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
  • Losartan, (Cozavan®) for the treatment of hypertension.
  • Magnesium, (Mag-Sup®) for the treatment of hypomagnesaemia and for chronic renal disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons.
• Oxycodone Hydrochloride with Naloxone Hydrochloride (Targin 5/2.5mg®) for the treatment of chronic severe disabling pain.
• Paliperidone, (Invega Sustenna®) for the treatment of schizophrenia.
• Pramipexole Hydrochloride, (Sifrol ER®) for the treatment of Parkinson disease.
• Botulinum Toxin Type A Purified Neurotoxin Complex (Botox®) is now available to for the treatment of severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis.
• Corifollitropin Alfa (Elonva®) for patients who are receiving medical treatment for assisted reproductive technology as described in items 13200, 13201 or 13202 of the Medicare Benefits Schedule.