Pharmacy Daily | Eleven new drugs on the PBS

THE Government has approved eleven new medicines for listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). According to the Health Minister Tanya Plibersek, the approvals will benefit around 45,000 Australian patients by offering them “access to new, affordable treatments”. The approvals include: Eylea (aflibercept) for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration in patients new to drug treatment; Ridaura (auranofin), for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis; Velcade (bortezomib) for the treatment of newly diagnosed bone marrow cancer for patients who are eligible for high dose chemotherapy, as part of combination therapy; and Jevtana (cabazitaxel) for the treatment of a certain type of metastatic prostate cancer. The approval list also includes: Prolia (denosumab) for the treatment of osteoporosis in women aged at least 70 years with a bone mineral density measured as a T-score of -2.5 or greater; Enbrel (etanercept) for the treatment of children with severe chronic psoriasis; Menopur (human menopausal gonadotrophin) for the treatment of infertility as part of the IVF (in vitro fertilisation)/GIFT (Gamete Intra-Fallopian Transfer) program; and Firazyr (icatibant) for the treatment of attacks of hereditary angioedema (unpredictable episodes of swelling in people that can impede breathing if affecting the throat). The final two approvals include Votrient (pazopanib) for the treatment of a certain type of kidney cancer; and Azilect (rasagiline) for the treatment of Parkinson disease in certain patients. The listings are now subject to final arrangements being met by the suppliers of the medicines. For more information visit www.health.gov.au.

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