Thousands of breast cancer patients in Australia will significantly reduce their treatment costs following a new federal government decision. Starting from Wednesday, October 1, 2023, the medication Truqap will be included in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), coinciding with the commencement of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This inclusion means that the government will subsidize the cost of the drug, which is used to treat locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer that cannot be surgically removed.
Previously, patients faced staggering costs of approximately $100,000 for a complete course of treatment with Truqap. With the new subsidy in place, patients will only need to pay a maximum of $31.60 per prescription.
Improving Survival Rates and Quality of Life
Health Minister Mark Butler emphasized that this listing is expected to enhance survival rates for individuals with metastatic breast cancer. “We estimate that only about one in three women with metastatic breast cancer will survive five years or more,” he stated. “This new listing, Truqap, will provide additional hope to approximately 3,000 women and a few men each year, making a substantial impact on the challenges surrounding survivability and quality of life for patients.”
Andrea Smith, a founding member of Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Action Australia, welcomed the announcement as a significant development. She noted that the estimated 24,000 individuals living with metastatic breast cancer in Australia often juggle work and family responsibilities while facing ongoing psychological and physical challenges due to their diagnosis.
According to the federal government, in 2024, more than 21,000 Australians were diagnosed with breast cancer, accounting for approximately 13 percent of all new cancer cases that year. Tragically, 3,305 individuals lost their lives to the disease.
A New Treatment Option
Fran Boyle, a medical oncologist at the Mater Hospital in North Sydney, expressed optimism regarding the addition of Truqap to the PBS. She explained that it offers a new treatment option that can be utilized before chemotherapy if patients choose that route.
The inclusion of Truqap in the PBS represents a crucial step forward in addressing the financial burdens faced by breast cancer patients. With government support, many will now have access to a potentially life-saving treatment that was previously financially out of reach.
This decision marks a significant advancement in the fight against breast cancer in Australia, providing hope and relief to countless patients and their families. As the nation observes Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the impact of this policy change is likely to resonate deeply across communities.
