New breast cancer drug added to PBS Abraxane

THE breast cancer treatment, Tykerb, has been placed on the the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), making it cheaper for women affected by an aggressive form of the disease.

Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon announced today that from May 1, Lapatinib, known commercially as Tykerb, would be subsidised under the scheme's arrangements.

Tykerb had been found to slow the progress of and improve symptoms associated with advanced HER-2 positive breast cancer, Ms Roxon said.

"Without any subsidy, the medicine would cost women between $3500 and $4000 each month," she said.

"Lapatinib will be available to people with HER-2 positive metastatic or advanced breast cancer for whom other treatments have proved ineffective."

The drug is used in treating a particularly aggressive form of disease known as advanced HER-2 positive breast cancer.

"HER-2 positive breast cancer is an aggressive form of cancer that particularly impacts upon younger women," Ms Roxon said.

"Around 87 per cent of patients diagnosed with advanced breast cancer will die from the disease within five years.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• drug
• pbs
• cancer
• breast
• extend
• life
• aggressive
• abraxane
• advancement