Subsidy for breast cancer drug
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A LIFE-saving drug that has been costing breast cancer victims more than $50,000 a year is to be subsidised by the Federal Government.
Health Minister Tony Abbott said today Cabinet had agreed to place the breast cancer treatment Herceptin on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from October 1 for women suffering “positive early stage” cancer.
The move will cost the Government $470 million over the next four years and is expected to help about 2000 Australian women a year.
The Government’s move follows a campaign by breast cancer victims who had complained of the prohibitive cost of the treatment.
“I’m stunned, totally surprised but it’s fantastic,” said 35-year-old Melbourne woman Ruth Maher, who had feared having to re-mortgage her home to pay for the treatment.
Herceptin will only help women with so-called HER 2 positive breast cancer – an extremely aggressive form of the disease.
A special funding scheme already exists for women suffering later stage cancer.
“I appreciate that this is something that a lot of people have been hoping for some time now,” Mr Abbott said. “I know that the delay has frustrated a lot of people, but there are processes that have to be gone through.”
Mr Abbott said the Government had expedited the review process for the drug.
About 2500 Australian women die of breast cancer every year and about 14,000 are diagnosed with breast cancer.
Breast cancer survival rates in Australia have been improving but the incidence rate has been rising.
Herceptin targets a particular type of breast cancer which produces an increased amount of a protein molecule called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2).
Mr Abbott said studies had shown that women able to use Herceptin had a 30 per cent greater survival rate.
“This is a good example of the fact that we are prepared to list very expensive drugs if we believe they are genuinely cost effective and it shows how important it is to be constantly vigilant to try to get the best possible value from the existing range of drugs,” Mr Abbott said.
Cancer study and support groups applauded the Government’s move.
Cancer Council of Australia’s chief executive, Ian Oliver, said studies showed that combining standard chemotherapy with Herceptin reduced disease recurrence in women with early stage HER2-positive breast cancer by 46 per cent.
“Herceptin represents one of the most important breakthroughs in systemic therapy for cancer in recent years,” Professor Oliver said in a statement.
“This decision shows how science, industry and government can work together to reduce the impact of cancer, which claims more Australian lives than any other cause.”
National Breast Cancer Centre director Helen Zorbas also welcomed the PBS listing, saying treatments such as Herceptin were a crucial tool in combating breast cancer.
“Targeted therapies like Herceptin improve our ability to tailor treatment for individuals based on their specific type of breast cancer,” Dr Zorbas said.
Source: AAP
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