Breast cancer drug may get subsidy

14jul06

THOUSANDS of women with early stage breast cancer may no longer have to dig into their own pockets to fund the drug Herceptin, as the Government considers putting it on its subsidy scheme.

The drug is thought to reduce the chance of cancer re-occurring in women with a certain type of early stage breast cancer.

The Federal Government is considering a recommendation it subsidise the medication which can cost more than $50,000 per patient a year.

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) believes the Government should put Herceptin on its Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

If the Government accepts the recommendation, the drug would be available to around 2100 patients for a subsidised price rather than the current cost of around $50,000 to $60,000 per year.

Health Minister Tony Abbott is promising to consider the recommendation as quickly as possible.

Any decision to fund the drug which could cost the Government up to $100 million a year would have to go to Cabinet.

The Government decision is likely to hinge on whether it can negotiate a cheaper price for the drug from manufacturer Roche.

"The Government will work as quickly as possible to make a decision on this," a spokeswoman for Mr Abbott said.

In a briefing note, the Health Department says subsidised Herceptin will not be recommended for patients who would be susceptible to heart damage.