In a statement released 17 June 2021 by the office of the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, more than 800 Australians with stage IV advanced or metastatic kidney cancer will now have improved access to a heavily subsidised treatment through an expanded listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Reportedly, from 1 July 2021, Cabometyx® (cabozantinib), will now be available as a first-line treatment for Australians with stage IV clear cell variant renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Previously it was available as a second-line treatment since 2018.
This PBS listing means that Cabometyx®, which can cost around $120,000 a year without subsidy, will be available for $41.30 per script, or as little as $6.60 for patients with a concession card.
Kidney cancer is the seventh most diagnosed cancer in Australia, with an estimated 4000 Australians diagnosed in 2020, reportedly.
RCC is said to account for 90% of all kidney cancers and is frequently diagnosed in an advanced stage.
