The Abbott Government will invest $1.3 billion listing new medicines and vaccines that will save lives and help thousands of Australians manage debilitating conditions in its 2015-16 Budget.

Minister for Health Sussan Ley announced Tuesday’s Budget would list new drugs to help Australians beat melanoma, breast cancer and blindness on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

The Government will also extend free vaccinations for the debilitating shingles virus to older Australians aged 70 to 79 by listing it on the National Immunisation Program.

Ms Ley said today’s announcement was a key part of the Abbott Government’s commitment to ensuring Australian patients had affordable access to medicines when and where they needed them.

Ms Ley said the listing of $628 million worth of new cancer drugs also formed part of broader package measures to improve the detection, treatment and prevention of cancer in the Budget.

“Access to new medicines is crucial if we’re to help Australians beat life threatening diseases such as cancer as well as overcome chronic and degenerative conditions that can rob them of their independence,” Ms Ley said.

For more details, go to: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/health-mediarel-yr2015-ley048.htm