New Anti-cancer Drug Now Subsidised by the Government

A government committee has recently announced its addition of Velcade (bortezomib) to the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Velcade is a novel drug used to treat an aggressive blood cancer called multiple myeloma. Although the treatment is worth several thousands of dollars, patients can now access the drug at heavily discounted prices and reap the benefits of improved quality of life and survival.

Multiple myeloma is the second most common haematological malignancy and affects approximately 5000 Australians. Although not a common type of cancer, multiple myeloma is perhaps one of the most aggressive and has generally poor survival rates. Most patients have a relapsing course of disease and less than one third of patients will survive longer than five years with the cancer. Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells which reside in the body’s bone marrow (inner material in bones responsible for cell production). Plasma cells are part of the body’s immune system and work by producing antibodies to fight infections and disease. When these plasma cells are abnormal or damaged a number of problems develop in the body including infections, anaemia, kidney problems and bone problems. Multiple myeloma sufferers may become very frail and debilitated. The condition is diagnosed by detecting abnormal immunoglobulins (a type of protein) in the blood or urine. Despite its overall poor prognosis, recent advances have led to the development of chemotherapy medications which decrease the occurrence and progression of disease. One particular drug called Velcade has shown promise in the treatment of advanced myeloma. It belongs to a class of drugs called proteosome inhibitors which work by killing the cancer cells. Velcade acts on a unique target within the cells so is quite different to other myeloma drugs. Clinical trials have shown significant long-term survival benefits with this novel drug compared to traditional myeloma treatments, particularly in patients who have failed other treatments. Several years ago Velcade was approved by the National Cancer Institute and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of myeloma in patients who have received one or more prior treatments and whose cancer is still progressing. Velcade thus helped to slow the progression and extend the patients’ life by approximately one year. Only this year however was Velcade added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This means the government has agreed to subsidise the price of a medication worth $7,000 per cycle and $42,000 for an average treatment, to $30.70 per month (and down to $5 for Health Care Card holders). The new PBS listing is fantastic news for patients and their families who now have better access to this medication at an affordable price. This hopefully will offer an improved quality of life and added hope for the future for myeloma sufferers. You should discuss with your doctor whether this medication is suited to you and whether you fit the criteria to qualify for an authority script.