Lung Foundation Australia is pleased by the positive recommendation for the listing of several medications on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for people living with lung disease, including treatments for lung cancer and asthma.
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) recommended the listing of fluticasone furoate (Arnuity Ellipta®) for the treatment of asthma.
The Department of Health approved the subsidy of immunotherapy treatment pembrolizumab (Keytruda®), in combination with chemotherapy, a treatment which has shown dramatic improvements in five-year survival rates for patients with NSCLC.
The Government also approved the reimbursement of morphine sulfate (Kapanol) for the treatment of chronic breathlessness in palliative care patients with advanced disease.
At the November 2019 PBAC meeting four lung cancer treatments will be considered for reimbursement through the PBS.
In addition, two treatments for asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) will be considered.
As part of the PBAC process, patients, carers, community members and health professionals are invited to make submissions in relation to the listing.
The consumer voice is very important in this decision-making process, particularly those who have been part of a clinical trial. Patients, families and carers can help decision makers understand the impact that lung cancer has and can assist the PBAC in their considerations.
Submissions are being accepted in relation to the following treatments:
- Durvalumab (Imfinzi™) for the
treatment of patients with unresectable Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
whose disease has not progressed following platinum-based chemoradiation
therapy. - Atezolizumab (Tecentriq®) for
the first-line treatment of patients with extensive-stage small cell lung
cancer or NSCLC. - Brigatinib (Alunbrig®) for the
treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic anaplastic lymphoma
kinase positive NSCLC. - Budesonide with Formoterol for
the first-line treatment of patients with mild asthma. - Lorlatinib (Lorviqua®) for the
treatment of patients with metastatic anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) positive
NSCLC previously treated with one or more ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors. - Salbutamol (Ventolin) for
patients with COPD.
For more information on how to make a submission, see the PBAC guide here.
To make a submission, click here.
Lung Foundation Australia will be making submissions to support the listing of each of these medications. If you have been part of a clinical trial and would like to share your experience as part of our submission, please contact judy@lungfoundation.com.au
Submissions to the PBAC close on Wednesday 9 October and can be made online, via email or post.