New medicines available through the PBS
Health Minister, Nicola Roxon, has announced several additions and changes to drugs listed under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which came into effect on 1 November.
Australians undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy or those suffering from arthritis, malaria or hypertension will benefit from the Gillard Government’s decision to list new drugs on the Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Around 2 million Australians are affected by hypertension (high blood pressure).
There will be two new listings for the treatment of high blood pressure. Full details of these listing are available at http://www.health.gov.au
Alternative anti-epilepsy drug available on the PBS
Australians with epilepsy who have not responded to other medicines will now have subsidised access to the drug lacosamide through the PBS.
For many patients, the existing anti-epileptic drugs are either ineffective or produce unacceptable side-effects. Lacosamide tablets (Vimpat®), provide an additional option in the management of epilepsy when the condition is not adequately controlled by other medications.
Subsidised access to lacosamide tablets will be initiated a neurologist for patients who have not responded to other therapies, as an authority-required benefit.
The cost of lacosamide to the PBS will be about $16 million over the next five years.
