New ADHD medicine now more affordable

ABOUT 150,000 Australian children living with ADHD will get a reprieve from today when a life-changing medicine is subsided on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

The move will slash the annual drug bill for families with children who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder by $1921 per child each year.

Intuniv — a new treatment option for patients aged 6 to 18 who are unable to use other medicines — will be listed on the PBS to treat ADHD. It is estimated more than 147,000 patients could benefit from this new treatment, which can help improve concentration and make patients less hyperactive.

Paediatrician Geoff Donegan said Intuniv was “lifechanging” for families, partly because it worked over 24 hours whereas traditional medications usually worked only during school hours or a small portion of the day.

In addition, 22,000 Australians living with debilitating rheumatoid arthritis will get access to a breakthrough drug previously costing $16,500 a year at the subsidised price of $39.50, or $6.40 per script for concessional patients.

Olumiant will be made available on the PBS for the treatment of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, an auto-immune disease that targets the lining of joints, and causes inflammation and joint damage resulting in painful, stiff and swollen joints for 400,000 Australians.