The budget allocates an additional $2.4bn over four years for new medicines added to the pharmaceutical benefits scheme, including Trodelvy, used to treat a rare form of breast cancer, saving patients up to $80,000 for each treatment. “For the first time, this drug gives hope to many young women, extending their life expectancy and providing an opportunity to spend precious time with their loved ones,” Josh Frydenberg said, before relating the story of a woman called Alison, who against the odds was celebrating her child’s 12th birthday thanks to the drug. As part of the government’s package to reduce the cost of living the government will also reduce the PBS safety net thresholds so that about 2.4 million people will qualify more quickly for free or discounted prescription medicines. For general patients the threshold is reduced from $1,542.10 to $1,457.10 and for concession card holders from $326.40 to $244.80.

Source: The Guardian March 30, 2022 06:24 UTC