THE government has announced several new cancer medicines to be subsidised via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, with health minister Greg Hunt saying the move shows the Coalition's commitment to the PBS is "rock solid".
The additions include Keytruda for classical Hodgkin's lymphoma, and Opdivo for locally advanced and metastatic stages of non-small cell lung cancer and renal cell cancer.
Yervoy is being made available for the treatment of malignant melanoma, while Giotrif is being subsidised for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
Other listings include anti-convulsant Briviact which provides a new option for patients with epilepsy, while intestinal anti-inflammatory agent Colazide will now be available with a larger maximum quantity on prescription.
Also listed is Neocate Syneo, a medicinal food for infants with life-altering food intolerances.
The PBS listings become effective 01 May, with Hunt noting that under the Coalition all drugs recommended by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee are being funded.
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