New Drug For Prostate Cancer Listed On

The Griffith Prostate Cancer Support Group celebrated with other men around the country this week as a new drug was listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

President Barry Maples said it was fantastic news following hard on the heels of the excellent fundraising efforts of the team at John Dodd Pharmacy, raising $2,500 in the 72km ride, walk, run…, the news about Nubeqa (pronounced: New-becca) was icing on the cake.

The life-saving drug is the first new medicine for prostate cancer to be listed on the PBS in seven years.

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia Chief Executive, Professor Jeff Dunn AO, said listing Nubeqa on the PBS would give more men with the deadliest forms of prostate cancer a greater chance at survival.

“This is an important moment for Australian men and families facing prostate cancer, and the first time in seven years we’ve seen a new medicine listed on the PBS for the treatment of prostate cancer,” Professor Dunn said.

“We commend the Australian Government for heeding our call to give Australian men better prospects for slowing down the spread of prostate cancer.”

The pill blocks testosterone from feeding the cancer cells and can help delay the spread of prostate cancer for close to three and a half years, more than twice as long as hormone therapy on its own.

Data from clinical trials found the drug also extended overall survival time, lowering the risk of death by more than 30 per cent compared with hormone therapy alone.

Men whose cancers have stopped responding to conventional hormone therapy will be among those patients eligible for the drug.

Until this week, the drug cost about $40,000 per year. Now, the maximum eligible patients will pay is $41.30 per script, with 12 or 13 scripts required each year. Concession card holders pay just $6.60 per script. Between 1000 and 1800 patients are expected to benefit.

PCFA is now calling for a review of Australia’s PSA testing guidelines.

Professor Dunn said that Affordable access to life-saving medicines was vital to national cancer control, helping to reduce the burden of prostate cancer on men and the community.

• Topics:

• Cancer
• Health & Wellbeing