Lung Foundation Australia is pleased by the announcement that Atezolizumab will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after prior platinum-based chemotherapy.
In a submission to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), Lung Foundation Australia supported reimbursement of Atezolizumab to ensure that the value of innovative medicines was properly recognised and understood by the government.
CEO Heather Allan said Lung Foundation Australia will continue to advocate for affordable access to new and proven medications for people living with a lung disease.
“We are pleased to see the government recognising the need to subsidise new targeted medicines and immunotherapies for lung cancer,” Mrs Allan said.
The reimbursement of Atezolizumab will provide NSCLC patients with an additional treatment option.
Atezolizumab is approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with progression on or after prior chemotherapy. In patients with tumour EGFR or ALK genomic aberrations, Atezolizumab should be used after progression on or after targeted therapy.
For more information, visit http://www.pbs.gov.au/pbs/home