IN THE outcomes of its November meeting released at the end of last year, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) recommended an authority-required PBS listing for Wegovy (semaglutide, Novo Nordisk) for adults who have established cardiovascular disease with obesity (PD Breaking News 19 Dec 2025).
Also recommended was the National Immunisation Program (NIP) listing for the 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (21vPCV, Capvaxive) for all adults with an at-risk condition, Indigenous adults aged 25 and over, and other adults aged 65 up.
This replaces the current schedule of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine with 23-valent booster doses, and the age threshold for non-Indigenous adults is reduced from 70 years to 65.
Needlephobics will welcome the listing of UCB's Bimzelx (bimekizumab) 320mg/2mL prefilled pen for the treatment of severe chronic plaque psoriasis, providing the dose in a single injection instead of two 160mg/2mL injections.
People with chronic stable plaque type psoriasis vulgaris can benefit from the listing of a new form of calcipotriol with betamethasone (Actobet, Actor Pharmaceuticals) while those with chronic hand eczema may be eligible for Leo Pharma's delgocitinib cream (Anzupgo).
Celltrion had three biosimilars recommended - denosumab, tocilizumab and aflibercept - under the same conditions as their respective originator biologics.
In women's health, two new menopause therapies were recommended - Theramex's Bijuva (estradiol with progesterone tablets) and Astellas Pharma's Veoza (fezolinetant tablets) - as well as Femvi (Sun Pharma), a new form of cetrorelix for use in assisted reproductive technology (ART).
On the other hand, Lawley Pharmaceuticals' AndroFeme 1 testosterone cream for women with hypoactive sexual desire dysfunction missed out.
Meanwhile, GSK's request to get the NIP listing of Shingrix age lowered from 65 to 60 was knocked back due to concerns around cost effectiveness.
Find the full outcomes HERE.
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