Clopidogrel (plus aspirin) listed on the PBS

The Federal Government has approved listing clopidogrel (plus aspirin) for the treatment of Acute Coronary Syndromes on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 February 2009. This listing will now align PBS reimbursement with the clinical guidelines developed by the Heart Foundation and The Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (Guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndromes 2006. MJA 2006; 184 (8 Suppl): S1-S32).
 
Prior to this listing, Australians had to suffer and survive two heart attacks before they could access the gold standard therapy (clopidogrel plus aspirin) as recommended in those clinical guidelines. This was despite the fact treatment with clopidogrel (plus aspirin) has been shown to reduce the risk of a second heart attack, stroke or death by 20% compared to aspirin alone.
 
The new PBS listing is expected to prevent around 2,500 additional heart attacks, strokes or deaths each year and deliver savings to the hospital system by reducing the number of hospitalisations due to heart attacks. It will also help to improve the quality of life and productivity of Australians who have suffered a heart attack.