Patients in Young and across the Hilltops being treated for leukemia and lymphoma will soon have access to a new affordable medication.
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Locals battling leukemia and lymphoma will be given access to Ibrutinib, a new and better medication than is currently available through the PBS, from December 1 at a price that will be affordable for those needing the treatment.
Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said Ibrutinib – sold as Imbruvica® – would normally cost on average $187,390 per course of treatment putting it beyond reach for most patients.
Mr McCormack announced on Tuesday from December 1 the potentially lifesaving medication will cost a maximum of $38.80 per treatment and only $6.30 for concessional patients.
According to Mr McCormack more than 920 Australians each year will benefit from the initiative that will save patients hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“Patients being treated for leukaemia and lymphoma face very serious health challenges and I am delighted the Government has taken this very welcome step to ease the financial pressures that always come with long-term treatments, especially for regional and rural patients,” Mr McCormack said.
Mr McCormack said the concessions would be available to eligible patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).
Ibrutinib is used when CLL or SLL has progressed or has not responded to first line treatment with chemo-immuno-therapy.
Mr McCormack said it is significantly more effective than the treatments currently available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
The member for Riverina said more than 60 new cancer medicines or amended listings have been approved since October 2013 including new treatments for advanced pancreatic cancer, melanoma, advanced breast cancer, ovarian cancer and lung cancer.
According to the National Party one in every six dollars of PBS expenditure is spent on cancer medicines.
Patients wishing to know more about the treatment are encouraged to speak to their doctor.