PBS changes from 1 November
Several additions and changes to drugs listed under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) which are used by older Australians come into effect from 1 November.
Additions
Over the next four years, more than a thousand people suffering from multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, will benefit from a Rudd Government decision to list lenalidomide (Revlimid®) on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). It will also be added to the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS).
Multiple myeloma is the second most common type of cancer of bone marrow. It damages a patient’s bones, resulting in pain, fractures and high blood calcium levels. Multiple myeloma can be controlled with treatment but long term cure is currently unlikely.
The listing of lenalidomide will cost an estimated $104 million between 2009-10 and 2012-13.
Alterations
Ezetimibe with simvastatin tablet (Vytorin®) is being listed to allow patients who currently require ezetimibe 10mg and a statin of 20mg or less to have a combination product instead of two separate prescriptions. This will not change the patient’s underlying treatment but the number of co-payments will be halved, reducing the cost to the patient.
A new strength of Tobramycin sulfate injection (without preservative, Tobra-Day®) for the treatment of pseudomonal infections in cystic fibrosis patients will be also be listed on the PBS. This additional high strength injection will make getting treatment at home easier as it replaces the need for multiple smaller strength vials of tobramycin.
Valsartan with hydrochlorothiazide tablet (Co-Diovan 320/12.5®) is listed on a cost-minimisation basis compared with the corresponding strengths of the hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan given together, and will be priced in line with the accepted practice for combination products. This listing is for the treatment of hypertension in patients who are not adequately controlled with either hydrochlorothiazide or valsartan used alone.
Restrictions
Changes to the current bortezomib (solvent required, Velcade®) restriction for the treatment of multiple myeloma will clarify the diagnostic tests required, define progression of myeloma and allow access to patients who have failed to respond to thalidomide but show no sign of progression.
In another change, the listing for Thyrotropin alfa powder for injection (Thyrogen®), for the treatment of thyroid cancer will become an ‘authority required (streamlined)’ item, meaning prescribers will no longer have to telephone for preapproval to prescribe.
Patients with thyroid cancer have a chronic, stable and long term condition and the dosage with thyrotropin is also stable with patients generally requiring one or two treatments per lifetime.
