Cystic fibrosis drug approved for PBS listing, heralding ‘better quality of life’ for sufferers
Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and their families are celebrating after the Federal Government listed a drug on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) that will help treat some people with the genetic disease.
Health Minister Peter Dutton said the Government has approved the listing of ivacaftor, the first medicine to treat the underlying cause of CF in patients with a specific gene mutation.
It will be available from December for patients aged six and over with the G551F gene mutation and will be marketed as Kalydeco.
Cystic fibrosis is the most common life-threatening genetic condition affecting young people in Australia.
It affects the lungs and digestive system, with patients struggling to breathe because of mucus clogging their lungs. There is currently no cure.
“With this new treatment many patients can experience an improved quality of life with reductions in respiratory and gastrointestinal complications, improved lung function and fewer hospitalisations,” Mr Dutton said.
Cystic Fibrosis Australia chief executive Michelle Skinner told ABC News 24 the drug significantly reduces the symptoms of CF.
“The medications that [patients] take are significantly reduced,” she said.
“[The result is] less time having quite invasive treatments, less hospitalisations and a much, much better quality of life for children and adults with CF.”
The CF gene was first discovered in 1989 and medical experts consider ivacaftor to be the most important development in the treatment of the disease since.
The Government has approved $174.5 million over the next four years to fund ivacaftor on the PBS.
Without the Government subsidy, about 200 Australian families would be looking at costs of more than $250,000 a year to use the treatment, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Australia.
SOURCE:
https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/25352499/cystic-fibrosis-drug-approved-for-pbs-listing-heralding-better-quality-of-life-for-sufferers/
Brand New Day for Cystic Fibrosis Sufferers!
The Boomer Esiason Foundation’s staff is comprised of individuals with expertise in cystic fibrosis and program development, event planning and fundraising, marketing and communications, and management. The Board of Directors includes leaders in the business community who generously give of their time and resources in support of BEF’s critical mission. The Young Professionals Committee are a group of business professionals dedicated to hosting a number of events benefitting BEF. These dedicated people may come from all walks for life, but they all agree on one thing: they’ll do whatever it takes to beat cystic fibrosis.
Boomer Esiason is a great guy and has been doing incredible things for Cystic Fibrosis. I have volunteered at his events for years and it is always very enjoyable and a huge sellout! 🙂
http://esiason.org/
On a separate note, The wonderful work of Kathy Giusti and the MMRF Foundation must be mentioned! Their sellout Annual Gala at The Greenwich Hyatt Hotel on the evening of November 8th is both very inspiring as well as enjoyable! There are many amazing items listed at the Auction, if you would like to view the items and place bids, please click the link below. Also, if you would like to donate and/or purchase tickets for this event, please click on the link below:
http://www.themmrf.org/