Affordable Cancer Treatment Now Available for Thousands of Australians
In a landmark move, more than 5,000 Australian cancer patients can now access life-saving immunotherapy drugs at a drastically reduced cost, with the Federal Government announcing a new listing under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Previously, some patients faced expenses exceeding $100,000 per course of treatment, but now, these vital medications will be available for no more than $25 per script.
Government Announces "World First" PBS Expansion
The Albanese Government revealed the "world first" PBS listing on Saturday, emphasizing that the treatments are crucial for individuals battling advanced and rare cancers. Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler stated, "This will mean Australian patients can get the treatment they need faster and at an affordable price. Thousands of patients each year will now have access to treatments that were previously out of reach for most families. By expanding access through the PBS, we're giving people more time, more options, and a better chance at maintaining quality of life."
Key Beneficiaries and How the Drugs Work
The immunotherapy drugs nivolumab (Opdivo) and ipilimumab (Yervoy) are now subsidized, benefiting patients with cancers that cannot be surgically removed, those with advanced or metastatic cancers, individuals needing treatment after a relapse, and those requiring longer-term therapy. Advanced and metastatic cancers are responsible for the majority of cancer deaths, making this expansion particularly significant.
These drugs function by enhancing the patient's immune response against cancer. They block proteins that typically suppress immune activity, allowing immune cells to more effectively recognize and combat cancer cells. Under the PBS listing, eligible patients will pay a maximum of $25 per script, or just $7.70 with a concession card.
Medical Community and Patient Reactions
Cancer clinician Associate Professor Malinda Itchins welcomed the announcement, saying, "Immunotherapy has transformed outcomes for many people with cancer. Expanding access means we can now offer it to patients who were previously ineligible but could benefit, including those with rare cancers where the unmet need is high. I welcome the opportunity this new listing provides to use clinical judgement and discretion in offering immunotherapy to my patients with advanced cancer, guided by the best available evidence."
Anna, a cancer survivor from Melbourne and mother-of-three, shared her personal experience with the nivolumab and ipilimumab combination therapy as part of a clinical trial. Diagnosed with stage four gallbladder cancer in October 2017, she was given just months to live. "The cancer was rare and aggressive and had metastasised to my liver. With the outlook bleak, I was encouraged to get my affairs in order," she recalled.
After joining the immunotherapy trial in January 2018, her condition improved rapidly. "By mid-year, they did another scan, and my cancer had reduced to the size of a golf ball. So, from a football to a golf ball. Following less than a year on the trial, scans revealed that my tumours had reduced to 5 per cent of their original size. I am cancer free. The doctors are calling it a miracle; I wouldn't be here if not for the clinical trial," Anna added.
Broader Implications and Government Initiatives
The Albanese Government highlighted that this move eliminates the "once in a lifetime" rule for patients requiring treatment for multiple types of cancer. Since July 2022, the government has approved additional funding for 403 new and amended listings on the PBS, demonstrating a continued commitment to improving healthcare accessibility for Australians.
