The Liberal National Government will make two new medicines for the treatment of the skin condition psoriasis more affordable, saving patients up to $32,600 per year.
The medicine Tremfya® (Guselkumab) is being listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from February 1 for the treatment of severe chronic plaque psoriasis.
The medicine would cost around $30,200 per patient, per year without PBS subsidy. Under the PBS the price goes down to just $40.30 per script, or $6.50 for concessional patients.
Severe chronic plaque psoriasis is an inflammatory condition affecting the skin and nails.
The inflammatory autoimmune disease causes skin cells to grow too quickly. This can result in red, scaly lesions that can be painful, disfiguring and disabling.
Psoriasis, which is a lifelong condition without a cure, can impact the emotional and social wellbeing of affected people.
It can be associated with psychosocial issues including social isolation, poor self-image, depression and anxiety.
Treatment with Tremfya neutralises the activity of a protein called IL-23, and reduces proteins in the skin responsible for forming the plaques seen in psoriasis
This listing will help people who suffer the terrible effects of severe chronic plaque psoriasis and at the same time saving families more than $30,000 a year.
Our Government will also list the medicine Ilumya® (Tildrakizumab) on the PBS from February 1. This medicine treats severe chronic plaque psoriasis too.
The medicine would cost around $32,600 per patient, per year without PBS subsidy. Under the PBS the price goes down to just $40.30 per script, or $6.50 for concessional patients.
Treatment with Ilumya® reduces the inflammation and other symptoms of the disease and promotes skin clearance.
These two medicines are expected to benefit 3,600 Australian patients with this condition.
These PBS listing were recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC).
The Committee is independent of Government by law and in practice. By law the Federal Government cannot list a new medicine without a positive recommendation from the PBAC.
Our Government continues to provide PBS listing for every medicine approved by the PBAC to ensure that new, essential medicines are affordable for all Australians.
The recent 2018–19 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) invests a further $1.4 billion in new medicines, saving sick Australians hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year.
Our strong economic management means we are providing Australian patients with access to life-saving and life-changing medicines quicker than ever before.
We are now making on average one new or amended PBS listing every single day.
Since being elected, our Government has helped Australians with new medicine subsidies worth more than $10.5 billion and listed almost 2,000 medicines.
Unlike Labor, we are subsidising all drugs recommended by the independent medical experts.
Our commitment to the PBS is rock solid. Together with Medicare, it is a foundation of our world-class health care system.
