May 9th 2024.
Great news for Australians suffering from two types of heart disease - cardiomyopathy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. These conditions can be life-threatening and expensive to treat, but thanks to the addition of two lifesaving medicines to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the costs have been drastically reduced.
Previously, patients could be hit with a staggering bill of up to $122,000 for treatment. But now, with the inclusion of these medicines on the PBS, patients will only need to pay a much more manageable $31.60 per prescription, or just $7.70 with a concession card. This is a huge relief for the approximately 4800 Australians who are affected by these conditions.
One of the recently listed drugs, Tafamadis, is specifically used to treat a rare heart disease called transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy. This condition can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue, and if left untreated, can lead to heart failure. Around 1200 Australians suffer from this disease, but with the help of this new treatment, the progression of the disease can be slowed and the build-up of thickened heart muscles can be prevented.
The cost of Tafamadis has been slashed from $122,000 for a year of treatment, making it much more affordable for those in need. And it's not just this medicine that has been added to the PBS - another drug, called Camzyos, has also been subsidized for the treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This condition affects around 3600 Australians and can make it difficult for the heart to pump blood due to a thickening of the heart muscle.
Without government assistance, Camzyos could have cost patients around $30,000 per year of treatment. But now, with its inclusion on the PBS, eligible patients will only need to pay for the cost of the prescription, rather than the hefty upfront cost for the entire treatment. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler expressed the importance of making these treatments more accessible and affordable for Australians, stating that it is part of the government's commitment to keeping medicines cheaper for its citizens.
Overall, this is great news for those suffering from these two types of heart disease. With the addition of these medicines to the PBS, patients will now have more treatment options at a much more affordable price. It's a testament to the government's dedication to providing necessary and lifesaving treatments for its citizens.
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