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Breast cancer PBS push wins support
Posted 16 February 2018
A campaign by breast cancer patients to gain the support of federal MPs in their drive to have Novartis' Kisqali and Pfizer's Ibrance PBS listed appears to be bearing fruit.
Both drugs have been rejected twice by the PBAC and have been submitted for a third consideration next month.
As reported by Pharma in Focus, the Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) has launched a grassroots lobbying campaign to secure listing for the two CDK4/6 inhibitors, and briefed parliamentarians last week. The campaign now has public backing from well-known north Queensland MP Bob Katter.
The member for Kennedy and leader of the Katter Australia Party has written to Health Minister Greg Hunt, calling for the "life-saving breast cancer" drugs to be listed.
The direct approach to the minister comes in response to constituents who are facing otherwise dire breast cancer outcomes but cannot afford the costs of the medicines which vary from $2,000 to $3,000 a monthly dose, Mr Katter said, citing one constituent who "has resorted to travelling to Hong Kong every month to access affordable treatment".
"Some drugs are subsidised in many countries around the world but are not offered here on the PBS scheme and for many they are life changing, giving patients more time and quality of life," Mr Katter said.
"We are informed by our concerned constituents that the particular CDK inhibitors: ribociclib and palbocicilib need to be listed on the PBS, so that Australian women who can benefit from them, can access them at an affordable price.
"There are many pressures on the women and families living with cancer as cancer treatments are not available in most small inland towns means travelling to the city hospitals. On top of these demands women have to cope with exorbitant extra costs of these important drugs," he said.
"I have urged the Minister for Health to address the additional cost incurred by families facing life threatening cancer, so that cancer sufferers may have an affordable drug readily available and have more time to live. Overall survival is of course the ultimate aim of treatment but progression free survival or slowing down the course of disease is also important to women.
"Being able to delay the onset of chemotherapy and all of the associated toxicities and hospital visits that can bring, can make a huge difference to the lives of women with cancer," Mr Katter said.
Nick Lush
Posted 16 February 2018
A campaign by breast cancer patients to gain the support of federal MPs in their drive to have Novartis' Kisqali and Pfizer's Ibrance PBS listed appears to be bearing fruit.
Both drugs have been rejected twice by the PBAC and have been submitted for a third consideration next month.
As reported by Pharma in Focus, the Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) has launched a grassroots lobbying campaign to secure listing for the two CDK4/6 inhibitors, and briefed parliamentarians last week. The campaign now has public backing from well-known north Queensland MP Bob Katter.
The member for Kennedy and leader of the Katter Australia Party has written to Health Minister Greg Hunt, calling for the "life-saving breast cancer" drugs to be listed.
The direct approach to the minister comes in response to constituents who are facing otherwise dire breast cancer outcomes but cannot afford the costs of the medicines which vary from $2,000 to $3,000 a monthly dose, Mr Katter said, citing one constituent who "has resorted to travelling to Hong Kong every month to access affordable treatment".
"Some drugs are subsidised in many countries around the world but are not offered here on the PBS scheme and for many they are life changing, giving patients more time and quality of life," Mr Katter said.
"We are informed by our concerned constituents that the particular CDK inhibitors: ribociclib and palbocicilib need to be listed on the PBS, so that Australian women who can benefit from them, can access them at an affordable price.
"There are many pressures on the women and families living with cancer as cancer treatments are not available in most small inland towns means travelling to the city hospitals. On top of these demands women have to cope with exorbitant extra costs of these important drugs," he said.
"I have urged the Minister for Health to address the additional cost incurred by families facing life threatening cancer, so that cancer sufferers may have an affordable drug readily available and have more time to live. Overall survival is of course the ultimate aim of treatment but progression free survival or slowing down the course of disease is also important to women.
"Being able to delay the onset of chemotherapy and all of the associated toxicities and hospital visits that can bring, can make a huge difference to the lives of women with cancer," Mr Katter said.
Nick Lush
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