Opicapone will be listed for the first time as additional therapy to treat Parkinson’s disease, helping other medications work better and for longer.
More than 215,000 Australians are living with the disease and last year some 1,300 people with Parkinson’s disease accessed a comparable treatment through the PBS.
Without subsidy these patients might pay around $1,800 a year for treatment with Opicapone.
Because of the Government’s cheaper medicines policy which launched on 1 January, this medicine will now cost just $30 per script, or $7.30 with a concession card.
Since July 1, 2022, there has been additional funding approved for 65 new and amended listings on the PBS.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“Parkinson’s disease onset is generally gradual and early symptoms can be unnoticed but as people living with this disease would be all too aware it causes significant disability and reduces the quality of life for the patient, their family and carers.
“Opicapone provides an additional treatment option for those living with Parkinson’s disease.
“We delivered on our election commitment to cut the cost of medications for millions of Australians by reducing the PBS co-payment to a maximum of $30 per script. This was the biggest cut to the price of medicines in the 75-year history of the PBS.”