Posted by Michael Wonder on 29 Sep 2019
Half a million Aussies to get cheaper drugs thanks to new PBS inclusions
30 September 2019 - New inclusions to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme will see half a million Australian patients get access to cheaper treatment.
Medicines to treat lung cancer, lymphoblastic and acute leukaemia, and nausea associated with chemotherapy will now be available to patients on the PBS for just $40.30 per script, or $6.50 with a concession card.
Minister for Health Greg Hunt told Sunrise that the new inclusions will see some patients save over $100,000 each year.
"Avastin, a breakthrough new medicine to treat stage four lung cancer, would've otherwise cost $189,000. It will now help over 750 patients for as little as $6.50."
"A new medicine called Apotex aprepitant for nausea from chemotherapy, which can be such an agonising additional complication, will be available for more than 7000 patients. "
15 other common drugs which are already listed, including ezetimibe for high cholesterol and pregabalin for nerve pain, will also become more affordable.
