Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee recommends Radium 223 dichloride

19 December 2017

Following PCFA’s submission on behalf of the prostate cancer community, we are pleased to share the news that during the November meeting of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) Radium 223 (Xofigo®) was recommended for listing as a treatment of castration resistant metastatic prostate cancer on a cost-minimisation basis with abiraterone.

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) is the independent expert body appointed by the Australian Government to recommend new medicines for listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Bayer, the manufacturer of Xofigo®, will now begin working with the Department of Health to secure listing in 2018.

This is a major step towards improving healthcare access for men with advanced prostate cancer and a positive outcome from the work done by PCFA and Affiliated Support Groups. PCFA would like to thank everyone involved in this process for their support.

More details can be found on page 14 of the following document:http://www.pbs.gov.au/industry/listing/elements/pbac-meetings/pbac-outcomes/2017-11/positive-recommendations-11-2017.pdf