THE government has announced the PBS listing of Vimizim (elosulfase alfa) which will be available under the Life Saving Drugs Program effective from 01 Aug 2017.
The medication treats a rare medical condition known as Morquio A Syndrome or mucoploysaccardiosis (MPS) type IV A - an inherited metabolic condition which affects people who are deficient in a crucial enzyme needed to break down long chains of sugar molecules.
Before accessing the drug patients will need to undergo a clinical assessment and then yearly checks to ensure Vimizim treatment continues to be appropriate for their condition.
Vimizim is only the 13th medicine to be added to the Life Saving Drugs Program, with the $400,000 annual cost per patient expected to see government funding of $44 million over five years to treat 20 children - possible because of "responsible financial management of the cost of medicines," the govt said.
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