Australians living with a range of debilitating conditions including juvenile arthritis, rare liver disease and multiple sclerosis will pay less for newly listed PBS listed medicines, thanks to the Albanese Government.
Adalimumab (Humira®) will be expanded to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis, alongside other paediatric immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) for which it is already listed, including Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and chronic plaque psoriasis.
IMIDs cause painful inflammation in joints, gut or skin, which can impair growth and lead to long-term disability. These conditions often disrupt schooling and daily activities, placing a heavy physical, emotional and financial burden on families.
Humira works by calming the immune system and reducing inflammation, helping children regain mobility, participate in everyday activities and enjoy a better quality of life.
An estimated 18,500-30,100 Australians aged 0-24 are living with arthritis.
Without the PBS subsidy, patients and their families could pay around $650 per script.
Odevixibat (Bylvay®) will be listed for the first time on the PBS for the treatment of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC).
PFIC is a group of rare genetic liver diseases mainly seen in children but can also occur in adults. It causes a build-up of bile acids in the liver, causing severe itching, poor sleep and progressive liver damage. In some cases, it can lead to severe liver disease requiring a transplant.
Bylvay works by reducing bile acid levels in the gut, helping to relieve itching and improve the quality of life of affected patients and their families.
PFIC is estimated to affect between 1 per 50,000 and 1 per 100,000 live births globally.
Without the PBS subsidy, families could pay more than $200,000 per script.
Ublituximab (Briumvi®) will be listed for the first time for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
RRMS is an autoimmune disease that damages the central nervous system, often leading to severe symptoms and long-term disability. It can profoundly affect a person's mobility, vision and independence.
Briumvi targets the B-cells that drive inflammation in multiple sclerosis, helping reduce relapses, slow disease progression and improve quality of life.
In 2024, more than 14,000 patients accessed a comparable treatment through the PBS. Without subsidy, patients might pay $15,000 per script.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"The medicines we're listing are life changing for people with distressing and even deadly conditions.
"Without the PBS, Australian patients would pay thousands of dollars instead of the newly reduced maximum of $25 per script, or just $7.70 for those who hold a concession card.
"The PBS is one of the most trusted government services in Australia and we're committed to strengthening it by adding the latest treatments recommended by our experts."
