As of 1 August, a number of new medicines have been listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) by the Morrison Government to support Australians with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), high cholesterol and chronic migraine.
Patients with SMA types 1, 2 or 3a, who are 18 years or under when treatment begins will have subsidised access to Evrysdi (risdiplam), an oral form of treatment for SMA, which is being listed on the PBS for the first time.
Australians suffering from hypercholesterolaemia will now have access to a new treatment, Praluent (alirocumab), which lowers cholesterol levels and can reduce a person’s risk of heart attack or stroke. It will reportedly be available to Australians with severe forms of hypercholesterolaemia.
The third medication, which has been added to the PBS is Ajovy (fremanezumab), which will be available for those who suffer from chronic migraines.
It’s said these new listings will save Australian’s thousands of dollars for these treatments, which will now reportedly only cost them $41.30 per script or just $6.60 if they have a concession card.
The listings have been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee.
In addition to the above medicines that have recently been added to the PBS, it has also been announced that Cationorm, a new, preservative-free, hydrating and lubricating emulsion for people living with persistent dry eye disease (DED) is now also available on the PBS.
