Australian government to subsidise range of new drugs

Published: 23-Oct-2006

The Federal Government in Australia has allocated A$860m to subsidise a range of new drugs on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, which will benefit some 366,000 sufferers over four years.


The Federal Government in Australia has allocated A$860m to subsidise a range of new drugs on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, which will benefit some 366,000 sufferers over four years.

The eligibility criteria for cholesterol-lowering drugs will be relaxed for high-risk patients, diabetics will receive Lantus and Levemir over the next 12 months, while an antiviral drug on the PBS list for the treatment of hepatitis C will be extended to victims of hepatitis B.

The Government has already stated that the breast cancer drug Herceptin will be listed, as will other cancer drugs that treat breast, lung and prostate cancers.

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