Katter in PBS call on drugs
KENNEDY MP Bob Katter has warned he will increase pressure on the Australian Government to subsidise two “lifesaving” cancer drugs.
The northern Queensland federal politician has joined a nationwide chorus of people, including the Breast Cancer Network Australia, to add breast cancer drugs Ribociclib and Palbociclib to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Clinical trials of the drugs have found to substantially increase the length of time before the cancer spreads.
However, the pharmaceutical products cost Australians about $5000 for a month, as they are not on the PBS.
Mr Katter said the drugs should be available to Australians diagnosed with breast cancer.
“We’re stepping up the pressure and it will ramp up considerably more from where we are at the moment, to authorise this drug for use in Australia,” he said.
Mission Beach resident Lisa Laird, who was diagnosed with breast cancer six years ago, has had to resort to travelling to Hong Kong each month to access the drugs.
Ms Laird said if the drugs were subsidised by the Government, it would allow her and other cancer sufferers to live quality lives.
WE’RE STEPPING UP THE PRESSURE AND IT WILL RAMP UP CONSIDERABLY ... TO AUTHORISE THIS DRUG FOR USE IN AUSTRALIA
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