New additions to Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
The Government will subsidise new drugs on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 May 2009, and several other drugs already listed on the PBS, will become available in new forms.
The new drugs include: sunitinib for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (a form of kidney cancer); Lanthanum carbonate hydrate for patients with an elevated level of phosphate in the blood associated with chronic renal disease; and teriparatide used in the treatment of osteoporosis.
The listing of new forms of drugs already available on the PBS will bring convenience to patients being treated for a variety of cancers and for those suffering disabling pain, managing cystic fibrosis, or requiring dialysis.
Information about medicines subsidised by the Australian Government through the PBS is available at http://www.pbs.gov.au