9 January 2020 - 16 'real world' new medicines were listed on the PBS in 2019.

16 'real world' new medicines were listed in the Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits in 2019.  This includes two combination products:

• Bictegravir sodium with emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (Biktarvy)
• Dolutegravir sodium with lamivudine (Dovato)

This total is generous insofar as dolutegravir sodium (Tivicay) and lamivudine (3TC) are listed on the PBS (as discrete entities). While emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate are both listed on the PBS (as discrete entities); bictegravir sodium is not.

Despite the Minister of Health's repetitive rhetoric on how the (Morrison) Coalition Government has a "rock solid commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them," the annual total for 2019 of 16 (really 15) is the lowest annual total for the past 10 years.  The corresponding figure for 2018 is 28.

Looking for more insights? Contact us for a more detailed analysis of the PBS in 2019