Successes of the PBS
The PBS has brought many incredible medical breakthroughs within reach of Australians – many in our community owe their lives to it. A Stronger PBS wants to ensure this success continues.
Outlined below some of our success stories…
Success Stories
Spinal Muscular Atrophy
In 2019, Australia funded the first medicine for Spinal Muscular Atrophy – the leading cause of death for Australian children under the age of two on the PBS. Four years on, three therapies to treat SMA are now available on the PBS providing hope to parents as the earlier we detect and treat SMA, the better the outcome.
Cervical Cancer
Australia is on track to become the first nation in the world to eliminate cervical cancer. This has been made possible by the development of a vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV), which was discovered right here in Australia. We were the first nation to fund a nationwide program – in 2007 for Australian girls and 2013 for Australian boys. The development and rollout of this program is considered one of the most significant health programs of this century so far.
Hepatitis C
In 2016, Australia became the first nation to roll out community wide access to breakthrough new therapies that for the first time offered an effective treatment for hepatitis C. An estimated 95,395 individuals had received treatment for hepatitis C at the end of 2021.
Cystic Fibrosis
Earlier this year, children aged 6 to 11 living with cystic fibrosis were able to access a new medicine via the PBS. Hear Millie’s story: