The Federal Government has announced the listing of a number of new drugs on the pharmaceutical benefits scheme, which are expected to benefit as much as 110,000 Australians.

 

This includes the decision to extend the listing for aflibercept (Eylea®), a medicine to treat age-related macular degeneration. 



“The Government recently agreed to list this medicine on the PBS for new patients. Following the recommendation of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee we have now extended the listing to make the medicine available to existing patients as well,” said Minister for Health Tanya Plibersek. 

 

Ms Plibersek said the new and extended listings also included treatments for cancer and deep vein thrombosis. 



“This will ensure more patients have greater access to the medicines and treatment they need at subsidised prices,” she said. 



Among the new and extended listings are:

  • Aprepitant (Emend®) - for the treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy for cancer
  • Atenolol (Atenolol-AFT®) - for the treatment of high blood pressure
  • Ezetimibe with simvastatin (Vytorin®) - for the treatment of high cholesterol
  • Naloxone hydrochloride (Naloxone Min-I-Jet®) - for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose
  • Paraffin compound eye ointment (VitA-POS®) - for the treatment of severe dry eye syndrome
  • Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) - for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots)
  • Sodium hyaluronate (Hylo®–Fresh) (Hylo®–Forte) - for the treatment of severe dry eye syndrome
  • Temozolomide (Temodal®) - for the treatment of certain types of malignant brain cancer.