New and expanded cheaper medicines

Australians with Cushing’s syndrome, retinal vein occlusion and psoriatic arthritis, leukaemia, and women needing contraception and menopause support will have access to new and expanded cheaper medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 March 2025.

Currently, there is no PBS alternative for the treatment of endogenous

Cushing’s syndrome. Osilodrostat (Isturisa®) will be listed for the first time to meet this need.

Endogenous Cushing’s syndrome happens where there is too much of the hormone cortisol in the body. It can cause weight gain, high blood pressure and skin changes.

This listing is expected to benefit around 75 patients each year. Without subsidy, they might pay around $119,000 per year of treatment.

Blinatumomab (Blincyto®) will be expanded to treat more patients with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL). 

B-ALL is a type of blood cancer where there is an overproduction of immature white blood cells, and people become more susceptible to anaemia, recurrent infections, and to bruising and bleeding easily.

Blinctyo can reduce the risk of the cancer returning for people with B-ALL.

This extended listing is expected to benefit around 110 patients per year. Without subsidy, they might pay around $229,000 per course of treatment.

The first dual-acting eye injection Faricimab (Vabysmo®) will be PBS-listed for Australians with macular oedema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO). 

RVO is one of the most common sight-threatening conditions affected people over 60 years of age. It is caused by a blockage in the retinal vein, which leads to fluid build-up in the macula – the part of the eye responsible for detailed, central vision – resulting in blurred vision or vision loss.

The risk of RVO increases with age, presenting a significant threat to the ability of older Australians to maintain their independence and quality of life. 

In 2024, around 18,800 patients accessed a comparable treatment for this condition through the PBS. Without subsidy, patients might pay around $11,700 per year of treatment.

Risankizumab (Skyrizi®) will also be expanded for severe psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis is where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, particularly the joints and skin, leading to inflammation and other symptoms.

Skyrizi treats severe psoriatic arthritis by reducing inflammation to help ease joint pain, stiffness and swelling.

Last year, around 3,500 patients accessed a comparable treatment through the PBS. Without subsidy, they might pay around $27,000 per year of treatment.

The PBS listing of these medicines mean eligible patients will pay a maximum of $31.60 per script, or just $7.70 with a concession card.  From 1 January 2026, under the government’s policy, they will pay a maximum of just $25 per script.

Since July 2022, the Albanese Government has added 304 new and amended listings on the PBS.

Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:

“The Albanese Government is committed to making medicines cheaper for all Australians.

“These life changing medications now become affordable for hundreds of thousands of Australians. 

“Since coming to Government we’ve added over 300 new and amended listings to the PBS.”