Incontinence drug proves to be pricey

A NEW drug to combat incontinence has been labelled a “game changer”, but for some people, the price is too much.

About 6.3 million Australians experience bladder or bowel control problems and a report by Deloitte Access Economics revealed that by next year, total health system expenditure on incontinence in the Australian population was estimated to be $450 million.

But one 76-year-old Queensland woman believes she will not be included in those statistics after being prescribed the incontinence drug Betmiga.

“It has made an enormous difference to my life, all but preventing the symptoms, but unfortunately the cost of each prescription is quite prohibitive. It started out this year at $48 per prescription but after August the cost leapt to $64.95. Who knows what the future cost will be?”

Urological Society of Australian and New Zealand spokeswoman Dr Caroline Dowling has praised the efficacy of Betmiga (also known as Mirabegron).

“It’s a game changer,” Dr Dowling said.

However, she warned there were several causes behind incontinence and it would not suit everyone.

Betmiga is manufactured by the Astellas company, which has said it has thoroughly investigated requesting PBS reimbursement but did not believe it would be successful.

It said one of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee’s key criteria for reimbursement was affordability in the absence of PBS subsidisation. Astellas said it would continue to regularly reassess its eligibility for reimbursement.