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Life-saving drugs lose hefty price-tags

The Turnbull government has announced it is subsidising new medicines worth $310 million, including a treatment for children with cystic fibrosis.

A life-changing drug for young Australians with cystic fibrosis will now be available at a fraction of the cost.

Kalydeco is one of several new drugs worth $310 million added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from Monday.

The medicine, until now restricted to patients aged over six years, will be available to children aged two to five years.

Health Minister Greg Hunt says for many families this vital drug has simply been out of reach.

"That changes today," he said in a statement.

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It will now be available for $6.30 per script for all concessional patients and $38.80 for general patients.

Other drugs added include:

* a treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, saving patients each year around $39,700 per course of treatment.

* Blincyto, a new treatment for a rare cancer - relapsed or refractory Philadelphia chromosome negative B-precursor acute lymphocytic leukaemia.

* Zinbryta, for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis sufferers.


1 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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