A number of new medicines have been added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to support thousands of Australians with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), high cholesterol and chronic migraine.
Australians patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) types 1, 2 or 3a who are aged 18 years or under when treatment begins will now have subsidised access to Evrysdi® (risdiplam), which is being listed on the PBS for the first time.
People suffering from hypercholesterolaemia (elevation of cholesterol in the blood) will have access to a new treatment, Praluent® (alirocumab), which lowers cholesterol levels and can reduce a person’s risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Also being listed for the first time is Ajovy® (fremanezumab), which will be available to Australians with chronic migraine.
It is estimated around 20% of the population live with migraine or experience migraine attacks at some stage in their lives. Without PBS subsidy, around 10,000 Australians would pay around $6,700 per year for this new treatment.
The move follows a listing earlier this year by the Government of Emgality® (galcanezumab), which means Australians will now have a choice between two treatment options for chronic migraine.
“Earlier this month, we also announced from August 1, Keytruda® (pembrolizumab) will be extended on the PBS for the treatment of Australians with colorectal cancer, a type of bowel cancer,” said Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt.
“These new listings with save Australians and their families thousands of dollars for these treatments, which will now only cost them $41.30 per script or just $6.60 if they have a concession card.”
