ORKAMBI Access 1 October 2018
Greg Hunt MP has announced that ORKAMBI (lumacaftor/ivacaftor), the first medicine to treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis in people with two copies of the F508del mutation, will be made available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 October. Additionally, immediate compassionate access will be granted to certain patients with cystic fibrosis from today (3 September 2018).
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) recommended the listing at its July meeting for adults and children with cystic fibrosis aged six years and over. The Australian Government has accepted the recommendation and determined a 1 October listing date.
“We will now work with cystic fibrosis clinics around Australia to ensure all Australians who might benefit from ORKAMBI gain access to this breakthrough medicine as soon as possible,” said Eilis Quinn, Country Manager Vertex Australia.
There are around 1,000 Australians aged 12 and above and 300 children aged 6-11 who will be potentially eligible for ORKAMBI access. Click here for more information about ORKAMBI and the PBS listing process.
We’ll provide further information about the roll-out from the Perth CF clinics as we receive it.