New PBS benefits
Older women with osteoporosis, and people with restless legs syndrome will benefit from the additions and changes to medicines subsidised by the Australian Government on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
In coming years more than 21,000 older women with osteoporosis are expected to benefit from the addition of zoledronic acid (Aclasta®) to the PBS.
The once-a-year injection will be available for women over 70 years with a bone mineral density score of -3.0 or less.
This is the third treatment option available under the PBS for osteoporosis and recognises the growing number of people, especially older women, with the condition.
The listing of zoledronic acid will add about $20 million to the PBS over the next five years.
A variety of additional treatments for existing medications will now be subsidised through the PBS.
An oral solution of escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro®) will provide an additional treatment method for people with moderate to severe generalised anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder.
A new solution concentrate for an in vitro infusion of gemcitabine hydrochloride (Gemcitabine Ebewe®) has been added to the PBS to treat a variety of cancer conditions, including breast cancer, epithelial ovarian cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and bladder cancer.
Two additional strengths of oxycodone hydrochloride (OxyContin®) tablets will be added to the PBS for the management of moderate to severe chronic pain that is unresponsive to non-narcotic analgesia.
This listing will provide patients with increased convenience.
Changes to the Highly Specialised Drugs Program from 1 April 2009 will broaden the subsidised use of filgrastim (Neupogen®) and pegfilgrastim (Neulasta®) to assist some people with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is the most common form of leukaemia in Western countries and occurs primarily in older people, with men twice as likely to develop the condition.
People who have had a stroke and have moderate to severe spasticity of the upper limb will benefit from the extension of botulinum toxin type A (Botox®).
This treatment will be available as second line therapy when standard management has failed, or as an adjunct to physical therapy.
