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MPs targeted in campaign to list cancer drugs
Posted 9 February 2018
A major breast cancer patient group has launched a grassroots lobbying campaign to have two new breast cancer drugs listed on the PBS, despite the PBAC twice rejecting the pair.
Both CDK4/6 inhibitors, Novartis' Kisqali and Pfizer's Ibrance head to the PBAC for the third time next month and, should they secure a positive recommendation this time, the Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) is keen to ensure their path to the PBS is fast.
"For the last 18 months, BCNA has been working hard to have two new breast cancer drugs, ribociclib and palbociclib, listed on the PBS so they are available at an affordable price for Australian women and men who can benefit from them," the patient group told members.
"Clinical trials are now underway to also test these drugs in women with high risk early breast cancers.
"Unfortunately, these drugs are not affordable for most Australian families because they are not subsidised by the Australian Government through the PBS - even though they are standard of care and subsidised in a number of other countries.
"BCNA is calling on its members and their supporters to write to their local federal Member of Parliament and state or territory Senators to urge them to support the listing of these drugs on the PBS."
The BCNA campaign began last Friday and urges members to either write to or speak to their local MP and Senators and express their concern. Links to MP contact details are provided along with templates and speaking points.
The campaign follows a long battle by the BCNA to have the therapies listed on the PBS which included gathering 32,000 signatures on a petition last year. Both inhibitors target HR+, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer, the most common form.
While Ibrance appeared on the ARTG in April and Kisqali in October last year shortly after moving swiftly through US and European regulatory systems, they have to date failed twice at winning over the PBAC - largely due to cost.
The PBAC estimated the net cost of listing each drug at "more than $100 million over the first five years", providing a combined annual cost in excess of $40 million. Outcomes of the PBAC's March meeting won't be known until April.
Ibrance is tipped to be one of the six biggest selling cancer brands in the world in 2022 and a Pfizer spokesperson said the BCNA's campaign "demonstrates the strong advocacy that exists for new treatment options for those living with metastatic breast cancer".
"Pfizer is working with the appropriate bodies to enable access to palbociclib for patients in Australia," the spokesperson said. "We acknowledge the strong and independent voice of the BCNA and other advocacy groups in supporting those living with a breast cancer diagnosis."
Megan Brodie
Posted 9 February 2018
A major breast cancer patient group has launched a grassroots lobbying campaign to have two new breast cancer drugs listed on the PBS, despite the PBAC twice rejecting the pair.
Both CDK4/6 inhibitors, Novartis' Kisqali and Pfizer's Ibrance head to the PBAC for the third time next month and, should they secure a positive recommendation this time, the Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) is keen to ensure their path to the PBS is fast.
"For the last 18 months, BCNA has been working hard to have two new breast cancer drugs, ribociclib and palbociclib, listed on the PBS so they are available at an affordable price for Australian women and men who can benefit from them," the patient group told members.
"Clinical trials are now underway to also test these drugs in women with high risk early breast cancers.
"Unfortunately, these drugs are not affordable for most Australian families because they are not subsidised by the Australian Government through the PBS - even though they are standard of care and subsidised in a number of other countries.
"BCNA is calling on its members and their supporters to write to their local federal Member of Parliament and state or territory Senators to urge them to support the listing of these drugs on the PBS."
The BCNA campaign began last Friday and urges members to either write to or speak to their local MP and Senators and express their concern. Links to MP contact details are provided along with templates and speaking points.
The campaign follows a long battle by the BCNA to have the therapies listed on the PBS which included gathering 32,000 signatures on a petition last year. Both inhibitors target HR+, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer, the most common form.
While Ibrance appeared on the ARTG in April and Kisqali in October last year shortly after moving swiftly through US and European regulatory systems, they have to date failed twice at winning over the PBAC - largely due to cost.
The PBAC estimated the net cost of listing each drug at "more than $100 million over the first five years", providing a combined annual cost in excess of $40 million. Outcomes of the PBAC's March meeting won't be known until April.
Ibrance is tipped to be one of the six biggest selling cancer brands in the world in 2022 and a Pfizer spokesperson said the BCNA's campaign "demonstrates the strong advocacy that exists for new treatment options for those living with metastatic breast cancer".
"Pfizer is working with the appropriate bodies to enable access to palbociclib for patients in Australia," the spokesperson said. "We acknowledge the strong and independent voice of the BCNA and other advocacy groups in supporting those living with a breast cancer diagnosis."
Megan Brodie
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