28 January 2018 - After nearly 4 years and 3 health ministers, the final report and Government's response to the review of the Life Saving Drugs Program is now available.

The Australian Government will retain and improve the Life Saving Drugs Program (LSDP), drawing upon recommendations 1 through 7 of the review.

The changes will include:

• the adoption of a rare diseases definition, that being a disease prevalence of 1:50,000 people or less in the Australian population (around 500 people). This is in line with the current LSDP prevalence rates.
  
• introduction of a mechanism where medicines listed on the LSDP will be subject to a review of usage and financial costs after 24 months, ensuring use and performance of the medicine is in line with the recommendations and expectations at listing. Similar reviews will be undertaken on all existing LSDP medicines over the first two years from the commencement of the new program.
  

Read Australian Government response