New PBS Listings for January 2008

People with pleural mesothelioma, eye conditions, those who want to stop smoking and infants with chest infections will benefit from changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

The listing of pemetrexed disodium (Alimta^(R)) in combination with the drug cisplatin has been extended to include the treatment of pleural mesothelioma. About 300 patients are expected to use pemetrexed disodium each year, at a cost of around $26 million to the PBS and Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) between 2007-08 to 2010-11.This is an important announcement, coming after the tireless campaigning of Bernie Banton, who recently passed away. Bernie was a great Australian hero, and it is due to his efforts that many people will understand the significance of this decision. Vaxigrip junior^(R) is a new form of influenza vaccine suitable for children up to 35 months of age who are at risk of adverse consequences from lower respiratory tract infections (chest infections). This will provide doctors with a more convenient form of influenza vaccine for young children.From 1 January 2008, optometrists authorised to prescribe certain preparations under state or territory legislation will be able to apply to Medicare Australia for approval to prescribe a limited list of PBS eye medicines. This initiative will cost about $10.7 million over four years. It will improve access to eye treatments for many Australians, particularly concession card holders and people in rural areas.The addition of varenicline (Champix^(R)) will help people who want to stop smoking. This is a new smoking cessation therapy treatment, which assists in reducing the craving and withdrawal symptoms that happen when a person gives up smoking. It is expected around 195,000 people will use varenicline in the first year of listing, at an additional cost to the PBS and RPBS of around $76.3 million over four years to 2010-11.(Source: Department of Health and Ageing : January 2008)