New hope for Australian leukaemia and lymphoma patients

A key new cancer treatment has just become more accessible for Australians fighting specific forms of leukaemia and lymphoma, thanks to the Morrison Government’s listing of Calquence® on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). 

 

On September 1, Calquence® (acalabrutinib) will be listed on the PBS for the first time for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma.

 

Lymphocytic leukaemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma are types of blood cancer that affect lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) and the lymph nodes.

 

Up to 1,600 patients a year could benefit from this listing. Calquence® might otherwise cost more than $140,000 per course of treatment, however with the PBS subsidy, patients will now pay just $41 per script, or $6.60 with a concession card.

 

Furthermore, access to Keytruda® (pembrolizumab) will be expanded on the PBS to include treatment of relapsed or refractory primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma. This is a rare type of lymphoma that largely affects young adults and there is currently a need for newer targeted therapies for this condition.

 

Up to 15 patients per year could benefit from this listing. Without the PBS subsidy, patients might pay more than $130,000 per course of treatment for this condition.

 

The Government is also expanding the PBS listing of Keytruda® for the treatment of melanoma.

 

Australia has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world, with more than 15,000 diagnoses each year—close to one diagnosis every half hour.

 

Keytruda® will now be available through the PBS as adjuvant treatment for patients who have had completely surgically resected Stage IIIB, IIIC or IIID malignant melanoma, which means it will be provided as a treatment in addition to surgery.

 

In addition, this extension will also allow for the use of Keytruda® as a first line treatment of BRAF V600 positive stage III or IV unresectable or metastatic melanoma, or melanoma that has spread through the body and has a specific biomarker.

 

Up to 850 patients each year might benefit from these expanded melanoma listings. Keytruda® might otherwise cost more than $100,000 per course of treatment without subsidies through the PBS for this condition.

 

Each of these listings has been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

 

The Australian Government is continuing to make important medicines available to Australians at affordable prices through the PBS. Since 2013, the Australian Government has approved close to 2,400 new or amended listings on the PBS. 

 

This represents an average of around 30 listings or amendments per month—or one each day— at an overall cost to the Government of $11.6 billion.

 

The Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid.