The voices of the Stronger PBS Campaign
While the PBS has known many successes, there are thousands of Australians living with a health condition that are waiting for medicines to be available on the PBS.
We know that the lack of access to medicines is not a unique problem. If you would like to submit your own experience please contact us at kate.mckeown@medicinesaustralia.com.au.
Alison
Alison, a mother of four, lives with stage three lung cancer. When she received her diagnosis, the only medication that could extend her life cost $7000 per month, a staggering amount for the Brisbane mum. Fortunately, shortly after her diagnosis, the medication was listed in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), reducing the cost to just $40. While Alison's cancer remains incurable, she is vigilant for new innovative medications in case her current treatment becomes ineffective, yet only one of these potential treatments is PBS-listed. Read Alison's full story here.
Stage 3 Lung Cancer
Ryan
Ryan was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 18 months old. Ryan’s mum had to stop working due to the care involved in managing his diabetes. Eventually, thanks to insulin medication and other treatments made available through the PBS, Ryan was able to start managing his diabetes independently. Today he lives as a normal 21-year-old life, playing and coaching sport and travelling with his friends.
Type 1 Diabetes
Professor John Zalcberg
Medical Oncologist Alfred Health
“The PBS was set up to provide equitable care. That’s what our system is based on and I think it’s a really important principle that we all believe in…“
Dr Fran Boyle AM
“You know it works, it’s been approved in Australia for use and the rich will be the only ones accessing it. That extra year of delay means people will not be cured of their cancer who could be. People who could have better quality of life with their cancer treatment don’t have that, and people are dying sooner than they need to.”
Medical Oncologist
Dr Malinda Itchins
Medical Oncologist
“We need a versatile program which enables cost reimbursement and more flexible indication for access. “
Millie’s Mum
“Unless you’ve had to go through it, you never think that a listing on a drug list is really going to change someone’s life. But it did, and it does, and it will.”
Cystic Fibrosis
Robyn
“When my mum was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, genetic testing meant she qualified for a drug trial. That drug is now available for treatment of other cancers but wouldn’t it be great if cancer patients could get access to new treatments more quickly?”
Ovarian Cancer
Dr Fran Boyle AM
“Timely access to treating cancer is critical because you have to get it right the first time.”
Medical Oncologist
Phoebe
“In order to be eligible to access a new medicine for chronic migraines through the PBS, my doctor and I had to prove that the existing treatments didn't work. This meant months of using medicines I had tried before and knew didn't work for me, before I was eligible for the targeted migraine medication subsidised by the PBS.”
Chronic Migraine
Sarah
“Access to new medicines isn't always equal, and thatʼs a harsh reality.”
Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Bianca
Atypical homolytic Uremic Syndrome
“This medicine saved my life. It allowed me to stop dialysis by halting the attack and enabling my kidneys to heal. Now, I can live without the constant fear of another attack looming, provided that access via the PBS continues. It’s given me a future.”
Ross
Stage IV Melanoma Cancer
“Ensuring all treatments like Immunotherapies are available to all patients who have received a diagnosis of cancer, no matter what level or stage of cancer, will result in lives being saved.”
Professor John Zalcberg
The PBS has been a fantastic public health program that has provided many effective drugs to a majority of the population.
On the other hand, the PBS is limited in its structure, and the processes that underpin whether a drug is available or not are complex… unfortunately, it doesn’t always provide the most recent drugs to the people who need them quickly and urgently.
Medical Oncologist Alfred Health
Amanda - Parent
“It’s so important to be able to improve the accessibility to medications that can change lives. To have that possibility there and not be able to access it is heartbreaking.”
Cystic Fibrosis - Under six
Tamara
Stage 4 Melanoma Cancer
Tamara was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma over eight years ago. Because of her stage 4 diagnosis, Tamara was able to access an innovative new treatment through the PBS and is today cancer free.
Andrew
Executive Officer, Neurological Alliance Australia (MS Australia)
“We want to make sure people living with neurological conditions have as many choices as possible in terms of treatments coming to the market, recognising the positive impact those treatments have on people's lives.”
Michelle
Lupus Erythematosus
Michelle is diagnosed with lupus erythematosus, a debilitating autoimmune disease. Thanks to PBS, she has been able to access life-changing medicines that enable her to manage her condition and live independently.
Matthew
Matthew was diagnosed with Treatment-Resistant Depression and has run out of current options available in Australia.
Treatment Resistant Depression