Affordable medicines to treat skin cancer, lung cancer and ALH

From 1 November 2022, Australians will have access to new and updated medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). These include listings for skin cancer, lung cancer and genetic disease X-linked hypophosphataemia (XLH).

The Hon Mark Butler MP
Minister for Health and Aged Care

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From 1 November 2022, Australians will have access to new and updated medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). These include listings for skin cancer, lung cancer and genetic disease X-linked hypophosphataemia (XLH). 

Cemiplimab (Libtayo®) will be listed on the PBS for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma - one of the most common forms of skin cancer. 

This is the first PBS-subsidised immunotherapy available to Australians with this cancer.   

An average of 1,000 patients per year could benefit from this listing. This is a high-cost medicine, without subsidy, patients might pay over $144,000 per course of treatment for cemiplimab. 

Burosumab (Crysvita®) will list for the first time on the PBS to treat a rare genetic disease called X-linked hypophosphataemia (XLH). 

Australia will be the first country in the world to offer this life changing treatment for both children and adults.  

Around 230 patients per year could benefit from this listing. Without subsidy, Australian families might pay more than $360,000 per year of treatment. 

From 1 November 2022, patients will have access to more treatment options for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 

The PBS listing of atezolizumab (Tecentriq®) will be expanded as an adjuvant treatment for certain patients with Stage II to IIIA NSCLC who have undergone surgery and chemotherapy. 

Without subsidy, patients can pay more than $90,000 per course of treatment with atezolizumab. An average of 180 patients per year could benefit from this expanded listing. 

Tepotinib (Tepmetko®) will list for the first time on the PBS for treatment of patients with locally advanced and metastatic NSCLC with a particular type of gene alteration (METex14sk). 

Without subsidy, patients can pay more than $112,000 per course of treatment. 

An average of 340 patients per year could benefit from this new listing. 

In addition, First Nations people 30 years of age and over who have only one risk factor, instead of two, will meet the new eligibility guidelines for COVID-19 antivirals Lagevrio® (molnupiravir) and Paxlovid® (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir). 

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Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:  

“The Albanese Government will continue to list life changing medicines on the PBS. The listing of Cemiplimab is vitally important to provide affordable treatment that will improve the lives of patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. 

“The listing of Burosumab will be lifechanging for Australians living with XLH.

“The Albanese Government will cut the cost of medications for millions of Australians by reducing the PBS co-payment from the current maximum of $42.50 per script, to a maximum of $30 per script, from 1 January 2023. Making these life-changing medicines even more affordable.” 

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