The Albanese Government is continuing to deliver cheaper medicines with Australians with types of leukaemia and severe migraines to pay less for expanded Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines from 1 June 2026.
Acalabrutinib (Calquence®) will be expanded to offer new treatments for people with untreated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma.
Calquence® is a targeted treatment that blocks the protein needed by cancer cells to grow and survive. When used in combination with venetoclax, it helps slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.
These types of blood cancers affect white blood cells, causing tiredness, frequent infections, swollen lymph nodes and low blood counts. They usually develop slowly over time and may require long-term treatment to control the disease.
More than 1,200 patients each year are likely to benefit from this expansion on the PBS. Without subsidy patients might pay $7,000 a script.
Eligibility for blinatumomab (Blincyto®) will be expanded to offer new treatments for people with precursor B‑cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
This is a fast-growing type of cancer of blood and bone marrow. It occurs when abnormal white blood cells multiply and crowd out healthy cells, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, frequent infections, easy bruising or bleeding and bone pain.
Blincyto® Is an immunotherapy that brings immune cells into direct contact with the cancer, allowing the patient's immune system to more effectively target the disease.
Around 110 patients each year are likely to benefit from this expansion on the PBS. Without subsidy patients might pay $229,000 per course of treatment.
Patients with high-frequency episodic migraine will benefit from the expanded PBS listing of Galacenezumab (Emgality®).
High-frequency episodic migraine involves eight or more migraine days per month, with symptoms including severe headache, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. These repeated attacks can disrupt work, school, social activities, making it hard to plan ahead and often reducing quality of daily life.
Emgality® works by blocking a gene-related peptide involved in migraines, helping to reduce both the frequency and severity of attacks.
Around 135,000 Australians each year are expected to benefit from this expansion on the PBS. Without subsidy patients may pay more than $500 per script.
The PBS listings mean eligible patients will pay a maximum of $25 per script, or just $7.70 with a concession card.
Since July 2022, the Albanese Government has approved extra funding for 444 new and amended listings on the PBS.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"These treatments are life changing for people with leukemia and severe migraines. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is an essential part of Medicare, making Australia's health system one of the most fair and equitable in the world.
"Without listing on the PBS, Australian patients could 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 expanded PBS listings are part of the Albanese Government's commitment to make medicines cheaper and more accessible for all Australians."
