Changes to Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
From 1 May, women with advanced breast cancer and patients with hypertension will benefit from changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
The breast cancer drug lapatinib (TYKERB) is a new treatment for metastatic or advanced breast cancer, and can be used after the disease has progressed despite treatment with the other drug used specifically for HER-2 positive breast cancer, trastuzumab (HERCEPTIN(r)).
Unlike HERCEPTIN, which must be administered intravenously, TYKERB is an oral medicine that can be taken at home, in combination with another anti-cancer drug, capecitabine.
This means that women suffering from this particularly aggressive form of breast cancer will have access to a new drug on the PBS that will improve quality of life and prolong some lives. HER-2 positive breast cancer is an aggressive form of cancer that particularly impacts upon younger women.
The listing of lercanidipine hydrochloride with enalapril maleate (Zan-Extra) will assist people with hypertension by lowering their blood pressure. This combination tablet can be used when exclusive treatment by either lercanidipine hydrochloride or enalapril maleate is not sufficient to control a person’s hypertension.
Information about medicines subsidised by the Government through the PBS is available at www.pbs.gov.au
