are Cancers Australia (RCA) has expressed its disappointment in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee’s (PBAC) rejection of a proposed streamlined approach to accessing the life-saving PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor class of cancerA disease where abnormal cells split without control and spread to other nearby body tissue and/or organs. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream and lymph systems. medicines.
RCA CEO, Christine Cockburn, saw this rejection as yet another blow to patients who would benefit from these therapies.
“We are incredibly disappointed to see another rejection by the government advisory body, PBAC, regarding pan-tumour listings of highly effective cancer medicines,” Ms Cockburn stated.
“Our patients continue to wait, self-fund or die whilst this industry and government negotiate. The suggestion from the PBAC that reform could occur ‘within tumour types’ is simply reverting to the status quo. This is not innovation and more importantly, it is not helping Australians living with life threatening cancer.
“These therapies are approved by the United States’ FDA by genomic classification. Instead of reverting to the site of the persons cancer, Australia should be following the science and reflecting the evidence in its approval processes.
“RCA is on the record as advocating for pan-tumour listings since 2017 and this latest development is simply another example of the participants arguing over the life-jacket whilst the patient is in the water drowning,” she said.
In March this year, Ms Cockburn hand delivered a consensus view of some of the most influential cancer organisations in Australia to Minister for Health, Mark Butler MP, in Parliament House calling for a pan-tumour approach to drugs access, essentially facilitating timely access for patients.
“Thousands of Australians with cancer could benefit from a pan-tumour approach to drugs access, especially those living with rare and less common cancers. Now is the time to embrace innovation and action, instead we’re left with the status quo of an outdated and arduous process,” Ms Cockburn continued.
“RCA has and always will continue to fight for more timely and equitable patient access to treatments and are committed to working with all parties across community, industry and government in making this significant reform a reality. We implore Minister Butler to intervene and make sure that Australia is providing the latest therapies to patients in a timely manner. Do nothing is not good enough.
“Every day of delay is costing Australian lives,” she concluded.
ENDS
Media Contact
Alicia Ballesty, Head of Strategic Communications
Rare Cancers Australia
0499 880 742